Since its early years, the Montana High School Association (MHSA) has proudly sanctioned participation in band, chorus, and orchestra, recognizing music as an essential part of a well-rounded education. 

Each spring, twelve district music festivals showcase student talent across the state, leading to the prestigious State Solo & Ensemble Festivals. Advancement to National Competition is decided and 2 students from Superior will be attending. Debbie Merrill, Superior School 7th grade through 12th grade Band and Choir Teacher, could not be prouder as she said the students were not only great ambassadors, and terrific musicians but troopers. 

“We went over (to Helena) on Thursday night, then spent all Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., doing solos and ensembles all day. We had dinner and headed home getting here at 10.p.m. The competitions continued the next day, but we did that on purpose because we had some kids in the track meet on Saturday. We had 10 performances with nine of them receiving the highest ratings, so that was really, really cool,” she beams while sharing the news. “One of our kids did 5-performances. She did a singing solo, a trumpet solo, a duet, a singing duet, a trumpet quartet.” She taps another student on the shoulder as she gathers everyone for a group picture. “This kid had two different instruments, and he sang, too, so that’s three things.”

“I got superior in all three events,” said 11th grade student Henry Hanson. “I did a soprano sax solo, a vocal duet and a saxophone with a trumpet quartet.” Noble Brockway said, “I got a superior rating for a clarinet and alto saxophone duet. And that’s all I did,” blushed the Superior High School junior.   

“And I got a superior in my trumpet duet,” shyly said freshman Lilly Jasper.  

Violet Blanco is a sophomore. 

“I received a superior rating in all of my competitions,”  (see above in Debbie Merrill’s boast) as confidence and pride were eminent with this young lady. “My name is Tyler Brown and I’m a junior. I got a superior rating in my bass clarinet solo,” as holds what looks like a dual-muffler system form a 1971 Chevelle strapped to his chest. Lane DiGiando is completing her last year at Superior High School. “I got a superior rating in both of my events. Both my clarinet solo, and my clarinet and saxophone duet with Nobel Brockway.”

Kaydi Erickson proudly said, “I got an excellent for my Barry sax solo, and a superior for my quartet. I’m a sophomore and that’s it. Oh, I have 2-dogs,” with a big smile. Senior Sam Doughty who plays the tenor saxophone was unavailable.

In order to compete at the state level, student musicians have to receive a superior rating at the district level. Merrill has been in her position at Superior School for 6-years and moved the needle because the program has higher expectations than it did. 

“I’ve had the seniors for 6 years and their experience is insane,” she said. “I hand out music and they learn it in about 2-days. They can just read it so it’s really hard to challenge them at times. They can just play it. We’re buying music non-stop to keep them motivated. At our annual concert we usually play 2 or 3 songs but we’re playing 5 or 6 just because they are so proficient.” 

That concert is open to the public on Tuesday, May 19.