Scottsburg High School sophomore Avery Kendall left the Indiana State School Music Association Vocal and Piano Solo and Ensemble district competition on a high note. She won a gold rating in Group I and will advance to the state competition on Feb. 16 at Perry Meridian High School in Indianapolis.
“I’m super excited. I didn’t get a chance to do it last year,” Kendall said.
With her mezzo-soprano voice, Kendall performed an Italian aria, “Sebben, Crudele.” Translated in English, the song’s title is “Thou Is Not Deserving” or “Although Cruel,” and the song examines the topic of unrequited love. The piece is entirely in Italian.
“I picked it for her because it worked for her voice. It has a lot of hard technical stuff,” said Ashley Kruth, Scottsburg High School choir teacher.
To perform the piece, Kendall had to learn how to pronounce the Italian lyrics of the song and research the meaning of the song. Kruth helped Kendall learn the Italian diction and pronunciation as Kruth knows five languages. Kendall also worked on breath support to sing the notes and worked to convey the emotion the author wanted the listener to understand.
“It was difficult to believe in myself to sing it,” Kendall said about the sophisticated piece.
Through hours of practice at home and with Kruth, Kendall felt prepared when it came time for the district competition.
“I am really proud of her and everyone,” Kruth said. “I threw really hard stuff at them this year with the expectation of high standards.”
For the last three years, a SHS student has advanced to state for the ISSMA Vocal Solo competition. Along with Kendall, five students at Scottsburg Middle School, including Kendall’s brother Brandt, received top honors with three students receiving gold and two receiving silver. The other SMS students included Victoria Smith, Carly Carter, Ashia Alcorn, and Natasha Williams.
In addition to the choir, the Scottsburg Band of Warriors had 11 SHS students qualify for the Indiana State School Music Association Solo & Ensemble state competition. SHS students who received gold ratings in Group I and will advance to state include senior Hannah Dickerson (flute solo, quartet, and sextet), senior Miranda Baker (flute solo, quartet, and sextet), senior Kinley Harmon (trombone), senior Elijah Leland (flugelhorn), junior Mikaela Glass (flute solo and sextet), junior Shelby Gudgeon (flute solo, quartet, and sextet), junior Josh Riley (clarinet), junior Carson Cox (trumpet), freshman Colin Owens (snare), junior Breana Allman (flute quartet and sextet), and junior Angel Richey (flute sextet).
“I was surprised,” said Carson Cox, who received a gold rating for the first time. “I was pretty shocked.”
Cox spent weeks learning “Andante et Allegro,” an Italian piece, and he worked with Scott School District 2 band directors Tim Johnston and Curtis Turner to prepare for the ISSMA festival.
“I practiced almost every day at home,” Cox said. “It’s got to be pretty good [to receive a gold rating].”
Not only did the high school students excel at ISSMA Solo & Ensemble Festival, but the Scottsburg Middle School band students had 22 gold-rating medalists and two silver-rating medalists.
The ISSMA State Solo and Ensemble will take place on Feb. 23 at North Central High School in Indianapolis.
Enroll today to see how Scott 2 can be “Your Path to a Brighter Future.” We’ve helped thousands of students find their path. We will help your students find theirs.