Henry-Senachwine High School band and choir students traveled to Normal West Community High School on Saturday, March 2, 2024, to take part in the 2024 Illinois High School Association Solo and Ensemble Contest. The musicians earned eleven First Place (Superior) Ratings and seven Second Place (Excellent) Ratings! Three of the entries were awarded perfect scores of 40/40 points on their performance at the IHSA State music contest! Those three entries were; A Mixed Vocal Trio featuring Bobby Gaspardo, Bella Gaspardo and Emma Kay Gaspardo; The Mallard Ensemble singing a 15th century Madrigal; and a Vocal Duet featuring Olivia Bergfeld and Bella Gaspardo.
It was later announced that Bella and Olivia were awarded an additional award from the IHSA in recognition of the most superior Musical Performance Heard This Day by A Judge.
Other First Place entries were; Vocal Solo by Olivia Bergfeld; Vocal Duet by Felise Groom and Breckyn Groom; Vocal Solo by Bobby Gaspardo, Vocal Trio by Taylor Rowe, Breckyn Groom, Felise Groom: Vocal Solo by Felise Groom; Vocal Solo by Taylor Rowe; Vocal Solo by Bella Gaspardo, Vocal Solo by Breckyn Groom.
Second Place entries were; Vocal Solo by Isabelle Knuckey; Vocal Duet by Taylor Rowe and Emma Kay Gaspardo; Vocal Solo by Hayden Welch; Trombone Solo by Waylon Lindstrom; Snare Drum Solo by Bobby Gaspardo; Vocal Duet by Isabelle Knuckey and Bella Hall; vocal Solo by Emily Culp.
Mr. Eliot Driver, HSHS Band Director, and Mr. Robert Eckert, HSHS Choral Director, were extremely proud of their students for their outstanding performances and ratings at the IHSA State Solo and Ensemble Contest!
Pictured Above: HSHS Solo/Ensemble musicians featured in this year’s contest! Front Row: Emily Culp, Second Row: Olivia Bergfeld, Felise Groom, Breckyn Groom, Third Row: Hayden Welch, Isabelle Knuckey, Fourth Row: Taylor Rowe, Bella Gaspardo, Fifth Row: Waylon Lindstrom and Bobby Gaspardo!