Choir and band students at De Soto High School completed their season at the State Solo and Ensemble contest on April 27 in Andover.

Soloists and ensembles perform their piece in front of a judge who grades them on a I-V rating scale, I being “Superior.” Performers who receive a I at the Regional competition move on to State.

Five choral soloists, five instrumental soloists and four instrumental ensembles moved on and received only I and II ratings at the State level.

For choir, senior Mykaela Cross and juniors Makenzie Hill and Cody Phillips received a I rating for their solos. Senior Lindsay Everson and junior Emma Stucki both received II’s.

Seniors Rhiannon Caldwell and Maria Pileski were awarded I’s for their instrument solos. Seniors Adonis Searls, Dylan Foster and Blake Bradford received II’s.

Two flute ensembles and two saxophone ensembles were also sent to compete at the State level. One flute ensemble earned a I rating, and the rest received II’s.

A big change noticed in the state competition this year is the dramatic drop of musicians that qualified to go.

“(The judges) used a new rubric and they’re trying to eliminate how many go to state. So, we had fewer go to state this year,” said choir teacher Mary Etta Copeland.

Although they faced many difficulties leading up to State, teachers and participants were pleased with the results and  have already started planning for next years competition.