Marion Community Schools congratulates more than three dozen outstanding young musicians from Marion High School and McCulloch Junior High who competed recently at ISSMA’s annual State Solo & Ensemble competition! We are proud of these artists, who all took on a high degree of difficulty to reach the state level. Seven of them earned the top adjudication award, gold with distinction, which recognizes a high degree of excellence.
Each year, the Indiana State School Music Association puts on regional and state level Solo & Ensemble competitions for instrumentalists and for vocalists and pianists. Musicians who earn a gold rating at regional on a Division 1 entry (the toughest division) advance to the state level. This year, vocal/piano state competition was on Feb. 22, and the instrumental state competition was on March 1.
Marion Community Schools applauds these students on their great accomplishments, and expresses gratitude to the teachers who work every day to help these students develop their talent and skills.
Here’s a look at the full list of Marion musicians who competed at state Solo & Ensemble, and their awards:
Gold with Distinction
- Madelynn Boogar, sophomore, marimba solo
- Aliya Cruz, sophomore, vocal solo
- Noah Gilreath, senior, marimba solo
- Caleb Huff, senior, marimba solo
- Colin Royse, sophomore, vocal solo
- Macey Wayman, freshman, vocal solo
- Zoey Wayman, junior, vocal solo
Gold
- Ethan Boogar, senior, earned Gold with two solos: vocal and baritone
- Madelynn Boogar, sophomore, timpani solo
- Cecilia Hancock, 7th grade, vocal solo
- Hannah Huff, freshman, earned Gold with two solos, vocal and flute
- Justin Peters, junior, trombone solo
- Vocal ensemble: Selah Craig, Brooklynne Smith, sophomores; Hannah Huff, Macey Wayman, freshmen
- Vocal ensemble: Zoey Wayman, junior; Aliya Cruz, Lucy Jenkins, sophomores; Skylar Boogar, freshman
- Percussion ensemble: Caleb Huff, Jacob Wood, Kyliegh Yeakle, seniors; Chayim Hofmann, junior; Madelynn Boogar, Bralen Davis, Evan Knight, sophomores; Jessi Adaway, freshman
- Jazz saxophone quartet: Ashton Circle, Gavin Johnson, Alexa Ortiz, Axel Ortiz, sophomores
Flute quartet: Eliana Campanero, Benjamin Havens, Hannah Huff, Quynh “Kate” Nguyen, freshmen
Silver
- Colin Royse, sophomore, piano solo
- Axel Ortiz, sophomore, alto saxophone solo
- Manuel Trejo, junior, trumpet solo
- Vocal ensemble: Ethan Boogar, senior; Nolan Berryhill, Micah Hawkins, Colin Royse, Nick Smith, Davon Young, sophomores, King Henriquez, freshman
- Brass quintet: Sarah Terhune, Donald West, seniors; Justin Peters, Jehren Smithley, Manuel Trejo, juniors
>> Click here to view the "ISSMA State Solo & Ensemble 2025" photo album