Austin High School music students earned high honors recently at a regional and state contest at Owatonna High School.

Some 50 Austin orchestra, choir and band students participated in the solo and ensemble competition, with many of them earning 'superior' and 'excellent' ratings.

"Overall, the number of superior ratings received say a lot about the program and the students," said choir director Brian Johnson.

The contest, which is sponsored by the Minnesota State High School League, is held annually and any school with a music department in the division can participate in the event. This year, eight schools attended.

For the judging, students are separated in groups depending on the type of performance, which ranges from chamber orchestra and swing to jazz choir.

Students get a 10-minute time period to perform either by singing solo or in small group and playing instruments. The judges then give students an oral and written critique of the performance and ratings, with 35 to 40 being the highest.

Three of Austin students also received "Best of Site Awards," which is the highest honor given in the competition.

"It is a pretty high honor and it's nice to be reassured that you're good," said Megan Walters, one of the award winners.

Walters, who has been playing the viola for seven years, plays in the school orchestra. First-year student Jenna Turner also placed as Best of Site with her soprano performance. The third winner was senior Bethany Larson.

"A Best of Site winner can also receive a superior rating. Whomever receives the highest superior rating from the room, receives best of site," Johnson said.

Johnson said the timespan for preparing for the competition was shorter this year and he hopes to have double the number of students participating next year. Music department instructors Philip Burkhart for orchestra and Tim Davis for band attended the competition.

Students with superior ratings include Laura Wichman, Josiah Ryks, Megan Wilson, Sarah Oesterle, Samantha Jayes and Danielle Gibson.

The chamber orchestra students who received Superior ratings were Emily Nelson, violin, Jenny Fischer, violin, Jessica Milli, violin, Alex Bednar, cello.

Others included:

n Jenna Peterson, Gina Maiden and Karissa Qualey -- Clarinet Trio

n Janine Davis, Holly Flatt, Rachel Carlson, Andrea Holt, Abby Monson -- Woodwind Quintet

n Linda Haas and Adriel Ewert -- Oboe solos

n Abby Monson -- French Horn solo

n Jacob Dalager and Tim Frank -- trumpet solos

n Tony Bissen and Holly Flatt -- flute duet

Roxana Orellana can be reached at 434-2214 or by e-mail at :mailto:roxana.orellana@austindailyherald.com