Lowell Brass Wins District 12, Headed To State Finals
Six of Lowell Music’s finest young people have managed another first for LHS and small schools of our kind. On February 23rd, they took high score in the “Large Ensemble” category while competing at the OMEA District 12 Solo/Ensemble Festival. This is uniquely different from OSAA Band and Choir, in that Solo/Ensemble features small, conductor-less groups and does not differentiate for school classification. In other words, all participants are competing head-to-head for a ticket to State. Seniors Ian Sotomayor and Jason Stratis, juniors Owen Chapman and Taysian Williamson, and sophomores Nicky Sotomayor and Timmy Stratis, outscored all comers — each of whom hailed from 5A and 6A schools — to take the District Championship, and will head to Pacific University for State Finals on April 26-27 (times TBD).
Of particular note, the first five boys listed above have now been District Champs and State Finalists in three different OSAA Activities in their careers. For any athlete or musician this is a rare feat, indeed! All six boys and the rest of the Lowell Band will try to duplicate this success in Band state qualifiers on March 15th and 21st. Good luck!
Photo caption: L to R – Ian Sotomayor, Timmy Stratis, Taysian Williamson, Jason Stratis, Nicky Sotomayor (not pictured: Owen Chapman)
