Choir Solo and Ensemble is one of the many events we do every year. There is a lot of hard work and dedication put into it. Much of the time practicing is not only in class but outside as well. the students start during the winter break to get ready . Mrs. Sword, the choir instructor, works with the students on getting them prepared.
“Students listen to song choice and select their competition piece before the winter break,” Sword said. “They receive sheet music and are given access to either a pre-recorded practice track or quality YouTube videos of their song to learn. If they compete in an ensemble (or small group) they are given music before the break and learn it in class when we return. Students are also given individual rehearsal with either myself or our voice teacher Mrs. Erxleben for several weeks in January/February.”
Solo and Ensemble helps people explore different kinds of music and better themselves in many ways. It focuses on the individual singer instead of commenting on the entire group. However, performers don’t get to just pick any song.
“You have to choose one from an approved list and they are more challenging and are closer to classical style singing,” Sword said. “I like that it pushes student limits as to what they know about music and what can be considered “beautiful” beyond current pop, country, hip hop, rap, etc music.”
While there’s a lot of hard work put into Solo and Ensemble, there’s actually many exciting aspects. Solo & Ensemble is unlike any other competition that the choir does and truly develops the individual singer.
“Each student is challenged to memorize a song (often in another language) and perform it alone,” Sword said. “This really helps them begin to listen to their own sound instead of just singing with a large group.”

Many of the students who competed at this years Solo and Ensemble have advanced to the state round.
“State Solo & Ensemble is immediately after graduation on Sunday afternoon, May 27th in Austin, TX,” Sword said. “The Choir will travel down to Austin with band students who will also compete that day.”