Kellogg Earned Superior Rating at State Music

SEELEY LAKE - After earning a superior rating at the district music festival April 16, Seeley-Swan High School (SSHS) senior Kim Kellogg competed in the state music competition in Helena in May. She again received the top rating for her solo "Homeward Bound" by Marta Keen. She was the only SSHS musician this year to attend state.

Kellogg has been singing ever since she was a little girl. Both of her parents sang with various groups. Kellogg believes this is why she was born with a love for music.

"Music has always been a part of my life, and today it remains very powerful," wrote Kellogg in an email to the Pathfinder. "I have fallen in love with music, the beat, the lyrics, the feeling and the meaning behind it. Music has a voice and it speaks to people in many different ways. Without music life would be missing an important voice."

Even though Kellogg is well versed at performing singing at many social venues, this is the first time she sang at the District Music Festival Solo and Ensemble. She chooses "Homeward Bound" because the meaning of the song is about someone who is undertaking a new stage in life.

"I was struck by the overwhelming power this song has," wrote Kellogg. "As I am starting college and moving on to a new stage in my life I can really relate to the meaning of the song."

While Kellogg wrote that it was nerve racking to perform a solo in front of 30 plus people, she enjoyed hearing the other singers and working with the instructor who helped her with her breathing technique.

"I was really surprised," wrote Kellogg. "I didn't expect to get a superior rating at state."

Kellogg wrote that there is a good possibility she will continue singing in college. She may be performing her solo at the SSHS Spring Concert May 24 at 7 p.m.

"She did so well!" wrote SSHS Music Director Kaytee Ambrozich in an email. "It was a great experience for her and she learned a lot through both the preparation process and the performance."