April 28, 2024
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Ottawa High School earns 4th place in IHSA Class A solo/ensemble contest

Program has finished in top 5 in each year of the past 2 decades

By Derek Barichello

Ottawa High School’s music program sits in fourth place in the IHSA Class A overall contest. (Scott Anderson)

Ottawa High School’s music program sits in fourth place in the IHSA Class A overall contest.

The program earned 456 points after Saturday’s solo/ensemble competition, which is one of two contests that make up the overall state series. The next contest is organizational, and Ottawa is scheduled to perform April 12-13 in Princeton. Ottawa trails Wheaton St. Francis (639 points), Kewanee (630) and Sycamore (525).

The solo and ensemble contest has more variables with students competing in several events. The second part of the two-part competition, the organization contest, has four performances, with a maximum of 300 points available. In past years, Ottawa has maxed out its score during the organization contest.

Ottawa has won 22 state music titles, winning its last Class AA state title in 2017-18. The program has finished either second or third since.

The choir program is led by Ali Stachowicz, and band is led by Andrew Jacobi.