Shelby band students advance to state solo and ensemble

February 12, 2024

Shelby band students advance to state solo and ensemble

CADILLAC — Five soloists from Shelby High School competed in the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSOBA) solo and ensemble Saturday, Feb. 10, and three of them are advancing to the state level.

“It was a great event, and three of our Shelby students — Kevin Pineda (trumpet), Kasey Oberlin (trumpet), and Cael Omness (alto saxophone) — qualified for state solo ensemble,” said Shelby Band Director Erin Ray. “We are proud of all of our musicians who represented Shelby,” who also included Michael Neino and Layla Anderson.

Shelby Band Director Erin Ray and Drum Major Eleanor Kirker.

Shelby bands are preparing for MSBOA festival Wednesday, Feb. 28. The seventh and eighth grade band will perform at 9 a.m., and the high school band will perform at 2:50 p.m. “Festival will be hosted at Shelby Public Schools that day, and community members and families are welcome to listen and support our Shelby Tigers and local bands,” said Ray.

“Amongst all of the busy students’ schedules, the pep band has been performing for our basketball teams this year with nine performances on their schedule. The director at Mason County Central, Caleb Schultz, has kindly asked to have his students perform with our group on Feb. 15, and we invite all Shelby alumni to perform with us on Feb. 20 this year.” Contact Ray or the Shelby High School office at 231-861-4452 if you’re a band alum who would like to participate. “Our next band booster meeting is Feb. 20 at 5 p.m. before the pep band performance. Please come chat with us in the high school band room and enjoy a basketball game directly afterwards.”