Simley Bands Continue High Scores In New Contest Format In Inver Grove Heights Schools

Press release from the Inver Grove Heights Schools:

May 3, 2021

Simley High School Band Director Kevin Robinson arranged a virtual Region 3AA MSHSL Instrumental Solo & Ensemble Contest for local students this year. Simley bands had the highest number of students in the region participate, but the contest also included students from Jefferson High School, Kennedy High School, Park High School, Prior Lake High School, Richfield High School, South St. Paul Secondary, St. Thomas Academy, and Sibley High School.

Students used an application to record and submit their performances for judges. Students could perform their piece five times and select the best take for submission.

All of the Simley participants received a rating of excellent or superior. This is the third year in a row that Simley has had no scores below excellent. Simley also had the highest percent of students who earned superior ratings with 29 Simley students receiving a superior rating and 15 receiving an excellent rating.

Simley also had two students earn perfect scores and two “Best of Site” players whose outstanding performances were selected by each judge. Gwen Ukestad received a perfect score on flute, and Grace Raab received a perfect score on clarinet. Grace was also chosen as a “Best of Site” player along with alto saxophone player Rebecca Elkin.

Thank you to Mr. Robinson for innovating to provide this opportunity for students while abiding by Minnesota Department of Health guidance, and congratulations to the students on their outstanding performances!

This press release was produced by the Inver Grove Heights Schools. The views expressed here are the author’s own.