Students Participate in District Solo and Ensemble Festivals

Congratulations to all of the Middle School and Upper School students who participated in the district solo and ensemble festivals held from January through April. Of those who competed, many University School of Milwaukee students qualified to compete at the Wisconsin School Music Association state solo and ensemble festival held the last Saturday of April and first Saturday of May. 

Each year over 32,000 students (11,000+ events) qualify at district festivals to perform at the state solo and ensemble festival, making this event one of the largest of its kind in the nation. These students represent the student talent and high quality of music programs in Wisconsin’s schools. In order to qualify for the state level, students had to earn a “starred first” rating in Class A, which consists of the most difficult music, at the district level.

The below students earned a gold medal and scored high enough to compete at the state festival. Click here for a full list of results, including gold, silver, and bronze medal winners and comment-only participants. Many thanks to Andi Franklin, Middle School and Upper School choir teacher; Stephanie Hancock, director of bands; and Steve Johnson, orchestra director for their assistance and support! 

Middle School:

Brooklyn Becker ’30: Violin Solo 
Nina Sugiyama Carter ’30: Concert Snare Drum Solo
Ayan Iyengar ’29: Flute Solo 
CJ Jacobsen ’29: Viola Solo 
Sophie Kouklin ’29: Piano Solo 
Augie Markwald ’29: Cello Solo
Eli Mondano ’31: Vocal Solo  

Upper School:

Sloan Becker ’28: Violin Solo
Sloan ’28 and Brooklyn Becker ’30: Violin Duet
Zaara Bonilla ’25: Violin Solo
Alex Chen ’25: Violin Solo
Alex ’25 and Chloe ’27 Chen: Violin Duet
Chloe Chen ’27: Violin Solo
Elina Cheng ’27: Violin Solo
Elina Cheng ’27 and Emily Pan ’27: Violin Duet

Gabby Cicero ’28: Violin Solo
Gianna Cooks ’26: Musical Theatre & Soprano Solo (two events)
Geno Cooks ’26, Trevor Dunning ’25, MJ Foster ’25: Trio
Sofia De Torre ’25: Viola Solo
Emery Domer ’28: Musical Theatre
Mika Finucane ’25: Violin Solo
PJ Heiny ’28: Musical Theatre
Lesley Jimenez ’26: Violin Solo
Summer Klingbail ’28: Musical Theater
Emily Pan ’27: Violin Solo
Ainsley ’28 and Edie ’25 Polston: Duet
Samara Saunders ’27: Musical Theatre
Maia Scherman ’27: Musical Theatre
Nathan Silber ’28: Piano Solo
Sara Staples ’25: Musical Theatre; Cello Solo; and Alto Solo (three events)
Laya Sumithra ’25: Musical Theatre and Soprano Solo (two events)
Eshaan Vasudev ’26: Piano Solo
Raymond Yang ’27: Piano Solo and Violin Solo (two events)