Several Union Middle School Band members participated in the NEIBA Solo Ensemble Contest on April 1^st, 2008.  The contest was a great success.  A “Good” rating was earned and white ribbons were awarded to 6^th grade alto saxophone player Michael DiGiacomo and 6^th grade clarinet player Catarina Ahlhelm.  An “Excellent” rating was earned and red ribbons were awarded to 8^th grade clarinet player Leslie Friestad, 7^th grade flute players Marrysa Harkness and Emily Gleason, 6^th grade alto saxophone players Madeline LaPage and Emily Samuelson, 6^th grade flute players Rachel Vaughn and Katie Hilmer.  

Blue ribbons and “Superior” ratings were awarded to 8^th graders Andrew Heckroth on alto saxophone, Cheyanne Ahlhelm on bass clarinet, Shelby Graveman on snare drum, and Kristen Brown on flute, 7^th graders Erin Heckroth on flute, Lindsey Powell on trumpet, Natalie Hanson on bells, Aaron Haas on alto saxophone, Joe Hicks on trombone, Justin Turner on tuba, Austin Pauling and Marissa LaPage on clarinet, Tierra Hunter-Metzger on clarinet, and 6^th graders Kylie Wrobel on baritone, Lauren Barz on multiple percussion, Savannah Downing on multiple percussion, Rachel Hicks on flute, Brooklyn Rogers on French horn, Nicole Krafka on trombone, Tori Parker on trumpet, and Joel Wauters on trumpet.  Two performances was picked for the “Highly Superior” Rating and awarded gold ribbons. Recipient of the Highly Superior rating was 8^th grade Heather Hammersley for her flute solo “Sicilienne” by Faure and 6^th grade Kristen Lowe for her multiple percussion solo “Multiplicity” by Feldstein.  Bill Livingston judged the contest and Mary Aschenbrenner accompanied the students on piano.  Congratulations to all of these students on their successful performances.