Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Kimball High School instrumental teacher, Kristi Hiles-Smith, leads the jazz band at the SPVA Conference competition in Sutherland last week. Kimball's Jazz Band received superior ratings from all three judges, but fell short of a perfect score over all.
Reese Spradling and Raven Johnson listen as teammates practice during the SPVA Conference music competition held last week.
Kimball vocal and instrumental students received 23 superior ratings and three excellent ratings at the Mar. 20 SPVA Conference competition in Sutherland.
Local students performed 24 solos and duets at this event along with Jazz Band and Show Choir. All three judges gave ones, high ratings, to show choir and jazz band.
Throughout the day, students gathered in small classrooms watching and encouraging one another's instrumental and vocal talents. Even those who were only in show choir or having a vocal event, were in the instrumental rounds to help support one another.
Show Choir students reused their Christmas concert performance, although they added an entertaining song from Rocky Horror Picture show titled, "Time Warp". The singers and dancers took the stage starting with the fan fave, "Bohemian Rhapsody" featuring Nicholas Thomas-Lewis and Arturo Fernandez's voices.
Following the opening performance, the Kimball girls laid their sass into the crowd, performing "Think" by Aretha Franklin and showing off the vocals of Raven Johnson, Crystal Pile, Desyree Nelson, Kiersten Anderson, Melai Casimiro and Leisha Casimiro.
Time Warp proved to be a crowd pleaser as well, with students perfecting ridiculous poses and giving their all-out craziness – there were flips, spins, and springs as well as partners dancing and tying one another up like pretzels. Kate Fraser, Jaden Mohr and Lila Moore took their turn at the microphone during the song.
The Kimball boys slowed down the excitement and gave the girls time to rest before the closer by singing "Tenerife Sea" featuring Ethan Ratzlaff, Connor Moore, Kaleb Prather, Alex Flores and Sebastian Portillo.
Finally, with the closing performance, the girls flew back onto stage to end the show with "Good Time". Kimball's Show Choir received a nearly perfect score and earned three superior ratings from the three judges.
Kimball's Jazz Band was one of the final events for Kimball High School. They played two new songs, "Living Large" and "Moonlight Memories" compared to the songs they performed for everyone at the Christmas Concert.
During "Living Large", Justine Heeg (Saxophone), Nicole Delaplane (Trombone), Andrew McCloud (Trumpet) and Kaden Adrian (Trumpet) had some fun playing their solos.
Adrian further showed off his talent on trumpet for the judges during "Moonlight Memories".
Kimball's Jazz Band received superior ratings from all three judges, but fell short of a perfect score over all.
Unfortunately, Kimball did not get first in show choir or jazz band, but got many solo and duet first place. Leisha Casimiro placed first in not only her vocal solo, but french horn solo as well. Following in her sisters footsteps, Melai Casimiro was first place baritone soloist. First place clarinet soloist was Desyree Nelson. Kaden Adrian received a medal for his trumpet solo and also got first place with Ethan Bemis on their trumpet duet.
While waiting for awards many Kimball kids helped the Sutherland hosts put the risers back in their music room while Kimball vocal teacher Jacob Hoffman chatted with students, making jokes and sharing old stories as everyone was anxiously waiting to hear the results of the day.
"I am extremely proud of how our Kimball students performed and conducted themselves throughout the day," Hoffman said. "These kids are the best of the best!"