Bigfork High School band rates high at music festival

Two Bigfork High School musicians showcased their skills at the state music festival last weekend. 

Rosalie Lander performed a flute solo and Jessica Young did a trumpet solo.

The pair qualified for state after receiving top marks at the District Music Festival last month.

The Bigfork High School band received a superior rating for their performance and sight-reading at the district festival.

At the festivals, music specialists judged each performance with verbal and written comments, rating musicians on a scale of one to five — 1 (superior), 2 (excellent), 3 (good), 4 (fair) and 5 (poor). 

No Bigfork performer received anything less than excellent at the district festival, though only individuals who received superior ratings moved on to state. Band teacher Randi Tunnell said it is hard to earn a superior rating.

At state Lander received a superior rating for her flute solo. Results from Young’s trumpet solo weren’t in by press time.

One of the best things about the music festival competitions, Tunnell said, is the feedback students receive on their pieces.

“I kind of required everyone to go it since it’s such a good experience,” she said. “Every year I learn just as much as they do. There’s just so much to know in the world of band.”

There are almost 50 students in the Bigfork High School band. This is Tunnell’s fifth year teaching at Bigfork, and she is continuing to accept donations to help replace old instruments, some that are 40 years old.

“People have been super generous,” she said. “It’s been amazing.”

The band is also selling raffle tickets to fund an end of the year band trip where they will play a clinic at Eastern Washington University. The students will also visit the Experience Music Project in Seattle.

“I have not been there, and I am super excited to take the kids there,” Tunnell said.

Raffle tickets can be purchased from any band member for $5. The main prize is a $350 Amazon gift card. There are also other prizes such as gift baskets and band shirts.

The band has a busy schedule as the end of school nears, which helps keep the students focused, Tunnell said. Their final concert will be a Pops Concert on June 2, which Tunnell hopes to hold outside, possibly at Sliter Park. The theme for the concert is “Heroes and Villians.”

In addition to band, Bigfork is also working to expand its other music offerings. This school year in addition to teaching three band classes, Tunnell also instructed a music appreciation class one semester, and a guitar class the next semester.

Next year she hopes to add jazz band, and eventually a percussion class.