While spring sports are in full swing, the pinnacle of the year for the music program has passed. The band performed at state at Pratt on April 19.  

“I think it was a very good day,” band director Dennis Kerr said. “The judging was good, and the kids performed well.”

The band received I ratings by all three judges after playing “In Praise of Gentle Pioneers” and “Flight of the Thunderbird.” This is the 15th year in a row that the Cardinal Pride Band has received a I rating.

“State band went a lot better than I thought it would,” senior Caylee Harrington said. “I was pleasantly surprised.”

Six soloists and one ensemble performed at Southeast of Saline High School on April 28. The three vocal solos were senior Makenna Beesley, junior Maddie Koester, and freshman Sadie Schmanke. Both Beesley and Koester received a I rating, and Schmanke received a II. There were also four instrumental soloists: Beesley, french horn; juniors Brandon Doll, tenor saxophone and Mariah Morris, trumpet; and freshman Isaac Meyers, oboe. All received a I rating.

“I felt like state went pretty good,” Koester said. “I wasn’t nervous; I was pretty excited and glad all of my hard work paid off.”

A french horn trio also performed: Beesley and freshmen Molly Bender and Lucy Boyles; they also received a I rating.

“I think we could’ve worked on a few more things before state, but overall I think we did pretty well,” Boyles said. “I was excited and surprised when we found out we got a I.”