Sidney students shine at annual District Music Contest

Local students from Sidney High School competed at the annual District Music Contest last week with instrumental and vocal performances at the Western Nebraska Community College Scottsbluff campus.

Group instrumental and vocal ensembles received superior rankings. Division One, or “superior,” is the highest ranking an individual or group can receive at the contest. The concert band earned a Division Two, or an “excellent,” rating overall.

“I thought the band performed very well at the contest,” said band director David Mead. “They are a small group of 21 members, and I am very proud of them.”

Sidney’s mixed choir that is also directed by Mead received straight ones for the 15th consecutive year. For the 11th year in a row, the Sidney Singers received all ones.

“They performed some very difficult music and received great comments from the three judges,” said Mead. “All together Sidney received 15 superior ratings and two excellent ratings.”

Individuals who competed in small groups or as individuals also received recognition for their performances.

Outstanding Performer awards were given to Jordan Cook in the piano solo competition and Abbie Fraas for her vocal solo performance. Honorable mention Outstanding Performer awards were given to Jonathon Stokes for his vocal solo, as well as to both Stokes and Fraas for their vocal duet.

Raiders who performed in their respective categories and received Division One rankings included: Fraas, Stokes, Megan Neal, Mitchel Renkert, Cameron Baldwin, Drew Myers, Cook, Kollyn Weimer, Bailey Bagnell, James Riva, Jon Smith, Jacob Austad, Destiny Backer, Mackenzie Bowker, Benjamin Goble, Abigail Heller, Austin Jacobsen, Thomas Kokjer, Emily Mahr, Jolene Oliverius, Teagan Short, Tessa Siler, Jonathan Smith, Rachelle Swain, Emma Tuzicka, Lauren Uhlir, Thomas Webb, Dana Windsor and Yeager Price.

Students from Creek Valley also represented their school by performing at the music contest.

Katie Burch and Stefanie Mitchell earned a Division One ranking for their vocal duet. Jillian Behrends also received an honorable mention for her vocal solo.