A large delegation of Sedan High School musicians will be competing in a state music festival in two weeks following their successful qualification for the event last Saturday.

At the class 2A regional music contest at Iola on Saturday, 14 Sedan musicians earned I, considered outstanding) ratings which qualified them for the state contest on April 26 in Concordia, Kan.

Earning the I ratings were vocal soloists Lauren Miller, Dustin Johnston, Holly Roberts, Bethene Reed and Brandee Loftin; trumpet soloist Lauren Miller; alto saxophone soloist Bethene Reed; and tenor saxophone solo Matt Beason.

The SHS Select Choir also picked up a I rating, thereby qualifying the choir for the state competition. Select choir members include Kayla Capps, Kari Darnall, Dustin Johnston, Kristi Loftin, Kaitlin McDonough, Timothy McDonough, Lauren Miller, Austin Morris, Mary Grace Mullendore, Bethene Reed, Holly Roberts, Martha Stettler and Baylee Williams.

Sedan also earned several II ratings, which are considered “excellent” performances by the judges. Those musicians earning II ratings were vocal soloists Mary Grace Mullendore, Austin Morris, Kayla Capps, Baylee Williams and Kaitlin McDonough; clarinet soloist Krystal Hill; boys’ vocal ensemble Timothy McDonough, Dustin Johnson, Austin Morris and Jarred Rainer; girls’ vocal ensemle Kayla Capps, Cassie Clark, Kari Darnall, Krystal Hill, Brandee Loftin, Kaitlin McDonough, Lauren Miller, Mary Grace Mullendore, Bethene Reed, Jolene Reed, Holly Roberts and Baylee Williams.

Rosie Sweaney, Sedan High School music director, said she was pleased with the results from the regional contest.

“It was a very good contest for us,” she said. “All of our contestants received either I or II ratings. Even though a I rating will qualify a participant to the state contest, there is nothing wrong with receiving a II rating. In the mind of the judge, the difference between a I and II rating is the difference between an outstanding and an excellent performance.”

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