The first full week in March proved to be both a busy - and productive one for Kingfisher choral students.

It began Tuesday, March 5, when the junior high and high school students took part in the OSSAA’s district solo and ensemble contest at Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva.

For the high school students, it’s an opportunity to qualify for the state competition provided they can score a Superior - or a 1 - from the judges.

Four soloists and three ensembles were able to achieve that feat.

The soloists were freshman Caroline Swafford, sophomore Ethan McLean, junior Bianca Garcia and senior Elijah Johnson.

Among the ensembles to be awarded a Superior rating was the duet of Olivia Reyes and Indy Barker, who performed “Wayfarin’ Stranger.”

A mixed accompanied ensemble sang a Latin piece titled “Festival Sanctus.”

Members are: sopranos Cherith Stephenson, Julianna Austin, Breona Mc-Connell; altos Olivia Reyes, Janeth Navarro, Raechel Evans; tenors Elijah Johnson, Caleb Hendryx, TJ Washington; and basses Ethan McLean and Journe Washington.

The mixed a cappella ensemble sang a French piece titled “Je Le Vous Dirai.”

Members are: sopranos Shelbey Osterholt, Caroline Swafford, Bianca Garcia; altos Raechel Evans, Charlie Johnson, Indy Barker; tenors Elijah Johnson, Caleb Hendryx, TJ Washington; and basses Ethan McLean and Journe Washington.

A treble ensemble sang an Italian song titled “Sonatemi un Balletto.”

Members are: sopranos Diana Hernandez, Emma McLean, Caroline Swafford; 2nd sopranos Julianna Austin, Miranda Borelli, Haley Crum, Audrey Long; altos Ariana Alvarez, Amber Beagle, Jordan McCarty, Kennedy Stephens and Avery Stutts.

KHS soloists earning an Excellent rating were freshmen Audrey Long and Julianna Austin, sophomores T.J. Washington and Indy Barker and senior Olivia Reyes.

The state competition will be held April 18-19.

Several junior high students also earned either a Superior or Excellent rating at the competition.

Soloists earning the top rating were seventh grader Magaly Charqueño and eighth graders Haven Branson, Bailey Wiliams and Shilo Willingham.

Abigail Smith, a seventh grader, was awarded an Excellent for her performance.

Two different junior high ensembles earned a Superior.

The mixed accompanied ensemble included sopranos Abigail Smith, Eva Lucia, Khloe Lucia, Shilo Willingham, Bailey Williams; basses Jackson Garrett, Kollin Lambert; and altos Yesenia Rivera, Magaly Charqueño, Gisselle Ponce, Haven Branson and Riley Crosswhite.

They sang “Fey O!” which is a Haitian song arranged by Ruth Morris Gray.

A mixed a cappella ensemble sang “Freedom is Coming,” a South African song by Henry Leck.

Members were sopranos Shilo Willingham, Bailey Williams, Mariana Ramirez, Abigail Smith; basses Jackson Garrett, Thaddaeus Stephenson, Kollin Lambert, Joshua Haynes; and altos Haven Branson, Aubree Burpo, Parker LeForce and Gisselle Ponce.

•••

The choir students were just getting warmed up as they traveled to Deer Creek High School Thursday to take part in the OSSAA’s district choir competition.

Again, for high school students, the highest rating - a Superior - means a spot at state.

OSSAA choir contests consist of two pieces, one of which must be a cappella while the other may be accompanied by music.

“Varsity Voices,” a mixed audition choir, performed a Class 6A piece called “Festival Sanctus” which is a Latin piece by John Leavitt. The a cappella selection was “Je Le Vous Dirai” by French Renaissance composer Pierre Certon.

The group earned a Superior on stage and in sight singing to advance to state.

Members of the varsity choir were Cherith Stephenson, Shelbey Osterholt, Caroline Swafford, Olivia Reyes, Janeth Navarro, Damien Haynes, Hannah Click, Raechel Evans, Elijah Johnson, Caleb Hendryx, Andrew Takape, Indy Barker, Julianna Austin, Breona McConnell, Bianca Garcia, Charlie Johnson, Ethan McLean, TJ Washington and Journe Washington.

And, for the first time, KPS Choral Director Diann Magnus this year entered a treble choir, which was all female voices.

They sang “Sonatemi un Balletto,” an Italian Renaissance piece and “Grow Little Tree,” an American piece by Andrea Ramsey.

The choir earned a Superior on stage and Excellent in sight singing to advance to state.

Members were Serenity Lack, Diana Hernandez, Janeth Navarro, Bianca Garcia, Haylee Crum, Audrey Long, Emma Mc-Lean, Shelbey Osterholt, Caroline Swafford, Ariana Alvarez, Amber Beagle, Kennedy Stephens, Julianna Austin and Miranda Borelli.

The state competition will be March 29.

The junior high choirs don’t advance to state, but can earn “Outstanding Achievement” for pulling in Superiors in both stage and sight singing.

That’s exactly what KJH did in performing “Fey O!” a Haitian folk song and “Freedom Is Coming,” a South African protest song on stage and then completed the sight singing portion of the competition.

Group members were Shilo Willingham, Haven Branson, Mariana Ramirez, Khloe Lucia, Damian Nunnelly, Joshua Haynes, Thaddaeus Stephenson, Gisselle Ponce, Riley Crosswhite, Magaly Charqueño, Evangeline Lucia, Bailey Williams, Addison Farrar, Abigail Smith, Jackson Garrott, Kollin Lambert, Earl Kiser, Paisley Parrott, Parker Le-Force and Yesenia Rivera.