Marion Middle School singers swept the board at the Heart of America Music Festival, achieving superior ‘I’ ratings for every vocal and choral performance March 10 at Hutch-Trinity.
Judges rate choirs, soloists and ensembles on a I-V scale. “I” represents an outstanding performance and is the highest rating a school or student can receive.
“The fact that all vocal music performances received a ‘I’ rating is extraordinary and uncommon,” said Julia Miller, vocal director at Marion Middle School. “I am so incredibly proud of these kids. It takes an immense amount of courage to get up and sing in front of a judge. Not only did these kids accomplish that, but they sang at an exceptional level.”
Emily Hutchison, Drew Helmer, Luke Lanning, Caleb Tomlinson, Charlie Nordquist, Alissa Adame, Chloe Burkholder, Samantha Kelsey, Aubrey Craig, and Elizabeth Schaefer received “I” ratings for solo performances.
The MMS women’s small ensemble, made up of Alissa Adame, Jazmin Lewis, Sadie Macdonald, Corrina Crabb, Cassie Meyer, Kennedy Fahey, Chloe Burkholder, Aubrey Craig, Drew Helmer, Elizabeth Schaefer, Emily Hutchison, Rebecca Sawyer, Emmy Hess, and Luisa Junqueira, also received a “I” rating for their performance.
All middle school students participate in MMS choir, which also received “I” ratings from all three judges at the festival.