Walters Blue Devil Pride Headed To State

Ten Walters Blue Devil Pride members travelled SWOSU on Feb. 22 to compete in the OSSAA District Solo and Ensemble Competition. For six of those students, this was the first time ever to compete in this contest. Out of the ten, nine students qualified for state competition by receiving Superior Ratings on their solos. Students who received Superior ratings and a State competition berth are Trystan Hanks-Flute, Evelyn Sarabia-Clarinet, Zanden Dyke-Alto Saxophone, Joshua Cannon-Trumpet, Breighannon Hanks-Trombone, Sutherlin Tillery-Trombone, Blaise Morgan-Snare Drum, and Joshua Farris-Marimba. DJ Rodriguez earned an Excellent Rating on his Eu phonium Solo as did Joshua Cannon on his French Horn Solo. OSSAA State Solo Competition will be held April 21-23 at OSU in Stillwater.

And now

The Walters Blue Devil Pride competed in the OS-SAA District Concert and Sight-Reading Competition on Feb. 26 in Duncan. The band played for three judges in the Concert Competition playing Ashland Park by Ed Huckeby and Alamo March by Karl King. The judges awarded the band two Superior Ratings which immediately qualified the full band for OSSAA State Competition. The band also competed in the Sight-Reading portion of the contest by performing a piece that they had never seen before. The students had eight minutes to count rhythms, do fingerings, and ask questions—all without playing a single note. The band performed exceedingly well earning yet another Superior Rating. OSSAA State Concert and Sight-Reading Competition will be held March 25-26 at ECU in Ada.