Newton sends 90 students to SCIBA competition

Ninety Newton Community School District band students in grades 5-8 participated in the annual South Central Iowa Bandmasters Association (SCIBA) Elementary and Middle School Solo and Ensemble Contest on Feb. 20. Newton’s Berg Middle School hosted this year’s contest.

Students from three Newton schools performed for accredited music specialists and received ratings, comments, and medals based upon the quality of their performances. Ratings are: 1-plus for highly superior, 1 for excellent, 2 for good and 3 for fair.

Accompanists for the contestants included Diane Fuller, Susan Ham, Jane Johnson and Lori Mattes. Band directors for the elementary and middle school band students are Seth Banwell, Michelle Banwell and Deb Stoulil.

In addition to these ratings, adjudicators recognize outstanding performances in their center by selecting students to receive the prestigious “Outstanding Performance Award.” Each adjudicator listens to approximately 50 entries before narrowing the field to the most outstanding in their contest center.

This year, soloists Leo Friedman (fifth-grade alto sax), Grace Benson (sixth-grade clarinet), Hannah Robertson (seventh-grade flute), Emily Goshorn (eighth-grade trumpet), Ashley Loehr (eighth-grade mallet), Parker Sherwood (eighth-grade snare), Blake Sevenbergen (eighth-grade tuba), Lexie Trout (eighth-grade mallet and snare), and the eighth-grade snare trio of Sherwood, Loehr and Trout were recipients of the these awards.

Here are the Newton students who participated:

Berg Middle School: Anna Bebout, Meg Callaghan, Korie Jack, Lexi Pollock, Hannah Robertson, Kaylanna Seu, Maisa Simmons, Kenleigh Jack, Lilly Busch, Emma Ham, Abby Hobbs, Gabby Pickerell, Emma Simpson, Sara Sopher, Mae VanDam, Sarah Templeman, Rheagan Oldfield, Alivia Lawton, Olivia Bautista, Baylor VanSickle, Jillian Waits, Talbot Mastio, Sadie Steinbach, Gage Linahon, Morgan Linahon, Emily Goshorn, Luke Zaabel, Jacob Aldrich, Cody Swank, Daniel Townsend, Bayleigh Hughson, Kali Smith, Madi Walker, Emily Light, Garrett Nook, Marissa Bassett, Courtney Dawson, Alex Johnson, Brock Jordan, Kleo Walker-O’Brien, Gabe Withem, Wade Klingensmith, Bekah Vasseau, Blake Sevenbergen, Thomas Hodnett, Parker Sherwood, Lexi Trout, Kyler VanBrogen, Austin Elbert, Abby Faidley, Ashley Loehr, Bailey Sparks, Lexie Trout, Darian Morrison, Willow Oswalt, Makenna Brooks and Jerrica Daffilito.

Aurora Heights Elementary School: Michael Gill, Madison Meehan, Tatum Rechtfertig, Lauren Zaabel, Kaitlyn Gifford, Olivia Crum, Brady Comer, Kathryn Van Manen, Briahna Smith, Tade Vanderlaan, Marshall Miller, Lance Banwell, Jaxon Keeton, Tanner Guy, Braxton Mai and Lance Banwell.

Woodrow Wilson Elementary School: Madison Seiser, Grace Benson, Delaney Cobler, MyKenzie Herbig, Claire Hunt, Libby Templeman, Kassydee Prellwitz, Jaycee Shaver, Leo Friedman, Maggie Garrett, Lillie Ray, Adam Mattes, Samantha Smith, Garret Beerends, Dawson Herbig, Trevor Klonglan, Owen Muhs, Tyler Padgett, Whitney Critchfield and Haley Sevenbergen.