For some, this weekend was just another weekend, but for choir members, it meant attending the Solo/Ensemble Festival, a competition against other schools’ choirs. This year, the competition was held at Fort Zumwalt East High School on March 5, and performances began at 8 a.m. and ended at 5 p.m.

Many of the choir members sang solos and some even teamed up with other students to perform ensembles too.

“I [sang] ‘Vittoria, Mio Core,’ which [was] in Italian, and my second piece was ‘Silent Noon,’ ” said junior Melissa Mossinghoff. “Each performer sings two pieces of music, but those who perform as a choir and a band kid would only do one song per performance.”

According to Mossinghoff, there were very few choir members who preformed only in ensembles and not solos. Students singing solos and ensembles have been working all year for this competition.

“The past few weeks we have primarily been practicing our solos and/or ensembles with Mr. Varwig,” said junior Spencer Millfelt. “Now that we’ve had this competition, we will be able to work on our spring concert music more.”

Those who performed were ranked on a scale of one to five, with one being the best. Students who receive a one will be allowed to compete in Columbia, Mo. in May.

“I, along with a few others, received a ranking of a one in my performances,” said Mossinghoff. “Now I get to perform all of the same songs at Mizzou for a State competition.”

Along with Mossinghoff, students who competed were senior Sue Redican, senior DJ Eshenroder, senior Collyn Currie, junior Jordan Peasel, junior Kyle Chumbley, junior Josh Burns, junior Claire Henderson, Amanda Palletier, sophomore Alexa Hauser, sophomore Lexi Vandiver, senior Kelsey Nagel, senior Katie Richards, junior Dustin Burton, and junior Kayla Kammermeyer.