Ally Fegley and Kenzi Case look over their music for the OMEA solo and ensemble contest which will be held on Saturday in St. Marys. The students perform in front of a judge and are given ratings on their performance. (DHI Media/Jim Langham)

DHI Media Staff Writer

jlangham@timesbulletin.com

VAN WERT Students from Van Wert area schools are collectively placing hundreds of hours into final preparations this week before the Ohio Music Education Association Solo and Ensemble Contest which is Saturday in St. Marys.

Van Wert flute player Briana Kesler is literally spending two hours a day in practice time in preparation for her participation in a woodwind trio, a woodwind quartet and flute solo.

Theres a lot of time that goes into this, especially the week before, said Kesler. There is one ensemble that is more prepared than the other, so we break things down more in practicing with the less prepared.

Kesler loves music because it gives her an opportunity to express her many-faceted feelings in different ways. When she isnt involved with school music, she plays in the area community band.

Music really helps me relax, said Kesler. Its something that helps me to strive to be better in my life. I like to use music as a way to prove myself.

Like Kesler, Van Wert junior Steele Stabler has been practicing many hours this week for his participation in two different woodwind ensembles and a clarinet solo. Stabler noted that he practices ensemble work during a free period in school but works most of his solo work at home.

I like how each piece of music can be interpreted in a way that is very individualistic, noted Stabler.

Lexi Walker, also a junior at Van Wert, likes the way groups break down into individual smaller groups in preparation for their performance. She likes the way groups with similar instruments bond in their preparation.

Just before performance, Walker said that she always takes a deep relaxing breath.

I always make sure I have a really good nights rest before the performance, said Walker.

At Lincolnview, junior Lainie Jones is preparing to sing in chior, a select ensemble and a solo performance of American Lullaby.

This is definitely a chance to work together with smaller groups of choir members, said Jones. It demands a lot of hard work and team work. It helps us to get over the fear of being in front of people, to be more relaxed to give a better performance.

Jones said that she relaxes all she can in mental preparation, although the last three minutes before performance, she practices her expressions.

I love music because it is an outright way to express a lot of emotions, said Jones.

At Crestview, Ally Fegley and Kenzi Case interact in a different way for contest. Although they are in two different musical groups, they also combine as one for their performances. Fegley plays a trumpet in the jazz band which provides the backup music for the show choir, Knight Vision, where Case performs as a dancer.

The first part of the year the jazz band and Knight Vision work separate, said Fegley. Its important for us to put style in our music so we can execute together in practice.

Fegley said that she takes her trumpet home and practices with discipline because she is first chair.

I have higher notes to play and that takes a lot of practice and work, she said. Im really working hard. This is my senior year and I want to make it count.

Case said that very few people realize all of the preparation that goes into setting things up right before the performance.

Right before performing we pray together, said Case. That is such a help.

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Local students preparing for solo and ensemble contest - Times Bulletin