Westlawn is proud to have had 14 students perform at the FCPS Solo and Ensemble Festival, held at Holmes Middle School April 28-29, 2023. The Solo and Ensemble Festival is an annual event where band and strings students can perform as soloists or in duets or trios for a judge, who scores them on their ability to successfully perform their piece with accuracy and precision. The top score available is Superior, with a score of Excellent following closely behind.

Students in fifth and sixth grade band and strings are given the opportunity to participate in the Solo and Ensemble Festival. The students along with their families decide if they would like to take advantage of this opportunity. Students who choose to participate are given several pieces of music that are appropriate for their playing level to choose between. The students make the choice, but may ask for assistance from their teacher when making the decision.

For many students, the Solo and Ensemble Festival is the first time that students have performed either individually or in a small group in front of anyone other than family or one of the music teachers. While the experience can initially be nerve-wracking, student confidence soars upon completion of their set. As such, playing in the Solo and Ensemble Festival helps students to develop one of the key domains of music education at the elementary level: getting comfortable at performing in front of others. While students may not necessarily be lifelong musicians, the experience of performing for others helps them build their confidence, a skill that translates into other areas of their lives, such as interviewing for a job or otherwise advocating for themselves to an unfamiliar audience.

Beyond the boost in confidence, students also earned some new hardware for their performances. Medals for these performances will be awarded at the Spring Band and Strings Concert on June 5, 2023. Everyone in the Westlawn community is invited to attend to show their support and appreciation for these musicians!

The students who performed from Westlawn and their scores are noted below. Way to go, Eagles! You make us so proud!

Superior Scores:

• Asa K. (solo)
• Ashley V.R. (solo)
• Brandon H. (solo)
• Grace L. (solo)
• Julyan A. and Ethan W. (duet)
• Clara B. and Prisha P. (duet)
• Eric M. (solo)
• Phuc B. and Nancy P. (duet)

Excellent Scores:

• Optimus B. (solo)
• Optimus B., Joe R. and Guillermo V-A. (trio)