On Jan. 30, band students from local schools in Michigan gathered at Rochester Hills High School to compete at the annual solo and ensemble event. These students were rated by judges on a scale of one to four based off of their performance. One is the highest rating a student can receive and is classified as “superior.” An RHS senior, Curtis Mack, competed in the district solo and ensemble event and received a rating of 1 for his trumpet solo. Mack is the drum major for the RHS marching band and is now first chair in the symphonic band’s trumpet section.

For the past seven years, Mack has competed in the district solo and ensemble event. He has received 13 medals total from solos or duets he has performed. During his first year, he received a second division rating, but from then on, he has received first division ratings from the judges.

“It was a great feeling and it was nice to know the judge appreciated the solo,” Mack said. “The judge gave great feedback, along with things I can work on in the future.”

The only students eligible to compete in the state solo and ensemble are the ones who receive a first division rating at districts, and even then only half of these students actually attend states. Mack will be attending states this year for a third time in March, where he will have to perform his solo from districts, memorize over seven trumpet scales, and sight read a piece given to him at festival.