Tracy Loew
March 16, 2008

Hundreds of high school musicians from across the Mid-Willamette Valley participated in the Oregon Music Educators Association District IV Solo and Ensemble Festival earlier this month.

The contest was held at Western Oregon University. It is the qualifying event to determine which students will represent the region at the OSAA/OMEA State Solo Contest, which will be held on April 26.

Salem-Keizer winners, alternates and their high schools are:

Piano: Marika Straw, West Salem, winner.

Harp: Christianna Hannegan, South Salem, winner.

Flute: Patricia Cardona, North Salem, winner; Molly Bielenberg, McKay, second place; Ashley Eddings, McNary, third place; Paige Hoffert, Sprague , first alternate; Daniel Frizzell, South Salem, second alternate.

Oboe: Michael Morgan, West Salem, winner.

Bassoon: Alyssa Schmotzer, McKay, winner.

Clarinet: Melanie Rau, North Salem, winner; Bekah Chin, Sprague , second place; Joshua Hettwer, West Salem, first alternate; Dallas Dodge, McNary, second alternate.

Low clarinet: Caitlin Hall, South Salem, winner.

Alto saxophone: Conner Plant, Sprague , winner; Zach Chong, West Salem, second place.

Trumpet/cornet: Ken Halfdahl, McNary, winner; Kevin Christensen, Sprague , second place; Lynn Robinson, West Salem, first alternate; Bryce Schmidt, North Salem, second alternate.

French horn: Carrie Bernard, Sprague , winner; Crystal Mohs, McKay, second place; Mara Liechty, McKay, first alternate; Peter Rundquist, McNary, second alternate.

Trombone: Matthew Hettwer, West Salem, winner; Brandon Haley, Sprague , first alternate; Jacob Rosevear, McNary, second alternate.

Tuba: Nick Ogle, Sprague , winner; Nathan Stokes, McNary, second place.

Rudimental snare drum: Robert Harris, West Salem, winner.

Orchestral snare drum: Brendon Seeley, West Salem, winner; Brady Schmidt, North Salem, first alternate.

Mallet percussion: Brady Schmidt, North Salem, winner.

Soprano voice: Kelsey Popovich, Sprague , winner; Tori Helppie, Sprague , second place; Cassie Gonzales, Sprague , first alternate; Kayla Wilkens, South Salem, second alternate.

Mezzo-soprano voice: Gwenyn Bonn, McNary, winner; Brittany Hansen, Sprague , first alternate.

Alto voice: Allie Rickaby, Sprague , winner; Shelby Wright, West Salem, first alternate.

Tenor voice: Tristan Zielinsky, McNary, winner; Darren Bien, McNary, first alternate.

Baritone voice: Alfonso Martinez, McNary, winner; Kevin Christensen, Sprague , second place; Sam Utley, South Salem, first alternate.

Bass voice: David Hays, McKay, winner; Alden Papritz, Sprague , first alternate.

Violin: Gwen Gates, West Salem, winner.

Viola: Evan Roth, South Salem, winner; Anne Roth, McKay, first alternate.

Cello: Parker Rushton, McNary, winner; Andrew Ponec, Sprague , first alternate.

String bass: Miriam Orschel, South Salem, winner.