Area band students shine in solo, ensemble event

Dozens of area high school band students earned high marks at the Indiana State Music Association’s solo and ensemble event.

Every member of the Northwestern High School Tiger Pride Band participated in the event and earned at least one gold rating, with many earning multiple golds.

It was the largest-ever entry for the program, with 99 solos and ensembles, according to a Facebook post by Northwestern Band Director Jeremy Snyder. More than 170 Northwestern high school and middle school students participated.

Fifteen Northwestern solos, along with four ensembles, will compete at state.

The Taylor Marching Titans sent 120 students to the event, the most in at least 20 years, if not ever, according to Band Director Max Johnson.

All earned at least a silver rating. There were 67 gold events for Taylor. Seven solos and five ensembles, for a total of 36 students, will perform at state. 

Performers from the Kokomo High School band received 57 gold medals. Twenty members are state finalists.

The Tipton High School band also turned in a strong performance.

All ensembles earned gold and are headed to state. A number of soloists also earned gold and a trip to state.

Tipton’s band performance was the first time in more than five years there was a 100% success rate in solo and ensemble performances in gold ratings, according to a school news release.

A number of members of the Eastern Comet Command band also earned gold ratings.

This story has been updated with information about the Taylor Marching Titans.