By William Shelly
Muleshoe High School Band Director

On Saturday, Feb. 22, the Muleshoe “Mighty M” Band participated in the Region 16 UIL Solo and Ensemble contest at Coronado High School in Lubbock. These students have been working very diligently for the past four weeks to learn a new piece in a small group setting. This contest determines whether each ensemble’s performance will qualify for the State level contest, to be held at Pfluggerville on June 1. I am proud of all the work these young people have demonstrated toward many great performances.
The three groups going on to State are the saxophone quartet, the brass quintet and the woodwind choir. They brought home, to Muleshoe, 25 superior medals.
Our first qualifying ensemble played “Canon in D,” written by Pachelbel and arranged for a saxophone quartet. Performers were Alarick Hernandez on first alto saxophone, Kynton Haseloff on second alto saxophone, Mikaela Haseloff, on tenor saxophone and Garret Simms on baritone saxophone.
Our next ensemble to qualify for State performed “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” a New Orlean’s style jazz piece for brass quintet written by Scott Joplin. Performers were Lyly Castro on first trumpet, Abraham Mendoza on second trumpet, Braden Shipman on French horn, Bryson Woodard on trombone and Sabastian Stiles on tuba.
Our third large ensemble to qualify for State utilized the entire woodwind family and a handful of percussionists. “Military Symphony 2nd Movement” by Franz Josef Haydn for woodwind choir was performed by Sharice Rosas on flute, Romeo Loya on oboe, Kynton Haseloff on bassoon, Arisbel Avilez on first clarinet, Camila Platas on second clarinet, Brandon Ramirez on third clarinet, Mark Espinoza on bass clarinet, Abel Mojica on contra-bass clarinet, Isaias Reza on first alto saxophone, Alarick Hernandez on second alto saxophone and Verdant Sharma as alternate alto saxophone, Mikaela Haseloff on tenor saxophone and Garret Simms on baritone saxophone. Percussion section was Ariel Gardea on timpani, Zabry Haseloff on bass drum, Cesar Reyes on triangle and Ryan Clifton on crash cymbals.
Our clarinet quartet spent several hours after school the previous week learning an exceptionally hard piece. It received a II, but, unfortunately, will not advance. They performed “Easy Winners” by Scott Joplin arranged by Frank Halferty for clarinet quartet. Performers were Camila Platas on first clarinet, Brandon Ramirez on second clarinet, Arisbel Avilez on third clarinet and Mark Espinoza on bass clarinet.
Our brass quintet also worked hard but did not qualify for State. They performed “Largo and Finale from New World Symphony” by Dvorak. Performers were Jonathan Chavez on first trumpet, Geovanny Pelayo on second trumpet, Jacob Rodriguez on French horn, Kristen Pope on alternate French horn and photographer Jonathan Valencia on trombone, Mario Melendez and Edwin Mejia, alternate trombones and Daniel Hernandez on tuba.
Special thanks to Ms. Jessica Mayenrich for her assistance. Thank you to Fiddy Cortez for taking and bringing us back safely. Thank you, to the Muleshoe administration for their tremendous support.
All these ensembles will perform on Thursday April 2 at the Muleshoe “Fine Arts Night to Shine.” We might even have a special flute choir performing that night. Some of our vocalists will also be performing. The Art department will have exceptional displays. The One Act Play will perform some of their show.
All of these talented young people will be performing while dinner is being served. The night’s festivities will conclude with an auction.