By Cara Martinez
Staff Writer
The Manhattan Beach Rotary Club, a Manhattan Beach Service Organization that focuses on charity, held its Solo Finals competition where 21 Mira Costa band and orchestra students performed on Feb. 3 in the auditorium.
The competition is an annual event that all band and orchestra students are encouraged to participate in. In order to qualify for the final round, participants had to perform on Jan. 12 and 13 in the preliminary round.
Video Courtesy: Bella Arnao.
Viola Player, Steven Tse performed his piece, “Concerto D Major, Op.1” by Carl Stamitz at the rotary solo competition. He placed second for the 11th and 12th grade division.
“Everybody brought such a great performance to the event,” Band Director Joel Carlson said. “This was a very stiff competition, but in the end it was more about giving a great performance and expressing musicianship.”
Click here to go to costa band website:
The adjudicators were former college professors; Cal Poly Pomona and UC Irvine professor Dr. Victor Aguilar judged band students, and former Long Beach City College Director Roger Johnson ranked students for orchestra. The judges evaluated contestants based on tone, musicality, articulation, accuracy, pitch and expression, Carlson said.
Photos from rotary solo competition:
“I think my performance went pretty well,” junior Emily Angstreich said. “After putting so much time into practicing, it feels good to be rewarded.”
Click here to see rotary club:
The soloists who placed first, second and third from each division will receive cash prizes at the Rotary Breakfast on March 13. The four first-place winners will also perform their pieces in front of the Rotary Club.
“I am excited to perform at the breakfast,” first-place winner and sophomore Bella Arnao said. “I am really happy and proud because I feel like all of the practice I put in truly paid off.”
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