BALLINGER HIGH SCHOOL MUSICIANS TAKE TOP RATINGS AT TEXAS STATE SOLO AND ENSEMBLE CONTEST
Evan Busenlehner and Nicolaas Holder, 2024 graduates of Ballinger High School, and Eracio Garza, who will be a senior this fall, received top ratings for their performances at the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest, held at Hendrickson High School and Kelly Lane Middle School in Pflugerville on Saturday, May 25.
Evan received a Division I (Superior) rating and gold medal on his drum set solo. Nicolaas and Eracio received Division I (Superior) ratings and gold medals on their vocal solos. Evan also received a Division II (Excellent) rating and silver medal on his marimba solo.
These students qualified for State by receiving a Division I Rating in regional competition held earlier this year at Angelo State University.
Each of these students prepared diligently and significantly raised their level of performance for State competition.
Band directors Janet Wilson, Matthew Cleveland, choir director Dale Ellis, Howard Payne University Choral Director Dr. Chris Rosborough, and Early band director Charla Garcia assisted the students in their preparation for the State event.
These students were featured in a wonderful recital, May 21, in the Ballinger Bearcat Band Hall, along with vocalists Aden Quiroga, Aeirth Quiroga, Lillian Robbins, and pianist Charles McDaniel.
Ida Lee Ellis played the piano accompaniments for the vocal students.
Evan’s parents, Zac and Allison Busenlehner, his grandmother, Christine Thomas, his brother, Tyler, his cousins, Edison Busenlehner and Liam Harris, Eracio’s mother, Elizabeth Garza, and Nicolaas’s parents, Larry and Brandi Holder, were present in support of their young people at the State event.
Band Directors Janet Wilson and Matthew Cleveland, Choral Director Dale Ellis, and Accompanist Ida Lee Ellis served as sponsors for this event.