Program Description

The Medina County Solo and Ensemble Festival provides students in Grades 5-12 (and fourth-grade piano students) with the opportunity to perform, display their talents, and receive constructive comments as well as a rating for their performances by a qualified adjudicator. It is to be used as a tool for performance improvement while garnering positive musical experiences for young musicians. The festival also serves as preparation for the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) District VI adjudicated events at the high school and junior high/middle school levels. Music directors and the ESC of Medina County have structured this event so that it falls in line with the OMEA rules and guidelines for festival competitions.

This year the Solo and Ensemble Festival was held on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Buckeye High School (3084 Columbia Road, Medina, Ohio 44256).

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    History

    During the academic year of 1955-56, then fine arts supervisor Delmar Graff established the first county Solo and Ensemble Festival for high school music students in Medina County. The event was free-standing from the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) adjudicated events and was held at various schools in Medina County during the winter and spring months.

    The perceived goal of these events was to afford music students the opportunity to perform solo and/or ensemble events for qualified music adjudicators. Adjudicators were often chosen from music teachers and directors from the Northeast Ohio area.

    The Solo and Ensemble Festival continues to this day, having been cancelled due to weather conditions only a few times during its tenure. There have been some evolutionary changes in the Solo and Ensemble Festival during the last 55-plus years.

    • Expanding the students served to reach down to upper elementary;
    • Revising the adjudication form to more closely align with the Ohio Plan established by OMEA;
    • Using almost all OMEA-approved adjudicators;
    • Adding elementary bands and choirs to the approved adjudication event available;
    • Using electronic sound reproduction means for accompaniment; and
    • Encouraging adjudicators to take time to talk with every student adjudicated.

    The event was almost exclusively hosted by the Cloverleaf Local Schools (and held at Cloverleaf High School) through the late 1990s. Then it moved to Buckeye High School. Next there was a yearly rotation between the Highland Local Schools and the Buckeye Local Schools. The current site is Buckeye High School.

    67 Years and Running

    PRESS RELEASE

    67th Medina County Solo and Ensemble Festival

    This year’s Medina County Solo and Ensemble Festival was held on Saturday, February 1, at Buckeye High School and hosted 250-plus students who participated in 129 events. Greg King (band director at Buckeye High School) and Pam Haberkorn (choir director at Buckeye High School) served as festival coordinators. Robert Hlasko, Ed.D., Superintendent of the ESC of Medina County, stated, "Whether in the classroom, on the field, or on the stage, Medina County students demonstrate amazing talents every year. The time and dedication these students and their directors put into their craft is beyond comprehension."

    The festival was held with the generous support of: Bauer Funeral Home; Buckeye Local Education Association; Bullseye Activewear and Promotions; Royalton Music Center; South Court Dental; Valley City VFW Post 5563; Zion Lutheran Church; and individual community patrons. This event was coordinated by the ESC of Medina County and hosted by Buckeye Local School District. Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) qualified adjudicators gave performance ratings and verbal comments to students participating in the event. Superior and excellent ratings for this year’s events are included on the attached document.

Coordinators

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