For Immediate Release
"Bravissimo" to McCallum Fine Arts Academy Orchestra
Students Win Gold at AISD Solo & Ensemble Contest
AUSTIN, Texas - (April 29, 2008) - The McCallum Fine Arts Academy Orchestra took top honors at Austin ISD Solo & Ensemble Contest held April 26 at Lanier High School. Twenty-nine students earned First Division ratings for solos, with two students winning "Best of Class" for performances in their instrument. In ensemble competition, a string quintet was awarded a First Division gold medal. Eight additional students receive Second Division ratings for solos.
"We had an exceptional day today with 34 students earning gold medals for their First Division performances. They all worked very hard on these contest pieces and I'm proud of our students' achievements." said Ricky Pringle, Director of Orchestras at McCallum FAA.
Members of the string quartet earning a First Division rating for ensemble performance include: seniors Gonzalo Hernando and Caris Longoria on violin, sophomore Caitlin Coughlan on viola, senior Catherine Cotham on cello, and senior August Dennis on bass.
Freshmen cellist Diana Burgess and sophomore bassist Luke Stence won the special recognition of "Best of Class," judged to be the best soloists on their instruments for the entire day.
First Division gold medal winners for a solo performance include:
Seniors:
Laura Herrera (violin)
Raanan Robertson (violin)
Nathan Surita (viola)
Tessa Miller (cello)
Wyatt Constantine (bass)
Josh Kroft (bass)
Riley Burgess (bass)
August Dennis (bass)
Juniors:
Alyssa Stevens (violin)
Marisa Trevino (violin)
Lupita Tello (viola)
Sophomores:
Frida Cruz (violin)
Rachel Fresques (violin)
Olivia Erwin (violin)
Michael Meador (violin)
Caitlin Coughlan (viola)
Jefferson Ellinger (cello)
Clarisa Creaton (bass)
Chris Emmick (bass)
Luke Stence (bass)
Freshmen:
Jackson Potts (violin)
Phillip Finkle (violin)
Seana Johnson Nishimure (viola)
Gabe Suarez (viola)
Lauren Groves (cello)
Diana Burgess (cello)
Miaya Kewon Martin (bass)
Trevor Young (bass)
Aron Coffey Barnett (bass)
Second Division Soloists include: sophomores Michael Sheehan and Sigi Huerta on violin; sophomore Walter Trejo, junior Jesse Gonzalez and senior Jazz Galaviz on viola; sophomore Charlotte Griesel and junior Karl Kleinsasser on cello and freshman Andy Rogers on bass.
Several of these students qualified at an earlier UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest for outstanding performances and
will compete in the UIL Texas State Solo & Ensemble Contest held at the University of Texas in May. Soloists competing at state are: Violinists Tenth Graders Olivia Erwin and Madison Selby, on Viola Tenth Grader Caitlin Coughlan, and on Bass Ninth Grader Aron Coffey Barnett, Tenth Graders Zac Collier, and Luke Stence, Eleventh Grader Robert Buckles, and Twelfth Graders Riley Burgess and August Dennis.
The two ensembles going to state are the Bass
Quartet with Luke Stence, Zac Collier, Robert Buckles and Aron Coffey
Barnett and a String Quintet with Gonzalo Hernando and Caris Longoria
on violin, Caitlin Coughlan on viola, Catherine Cotham on Cello, and
August Dennis on Bass. The string quintet was coached by Jessica
Gilliam Valls of the Austin Chamber Music Center.
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Contact:
Michael Coughlan
Hendrix Coughlan Media, Inc.
Email: michael@hendrixcoughlan.com
Office: 512.420.0968
Cell: 512.413.1601
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