According to orchestra director Miriam Edgar, the orchestra typically participates in a solo/ensemble competition every spring.

According to Edgar, solo/ensemble competition schools in the Metro West Conference get together to have their students perform pieces to judges that score them on their musical abilities.

“Solo/ensemble (competition) is basically determined by our conference and what happens is that all the schools in our region for our conference get together with all of our students and we hire a adjudicators, which are basically judges, and they are usually very knowledgeable in the music realm,” Edgar said. “(Scoring) is out of 40 points.”

Junior Lukas Wrede said solo/ensemble competition brings a great opportunity to play with other schools’ in Metro West Conference.

“It is really cool, you can even play with other people who are in the metro area. If they are part of the group of schools that go to the solo/ensemble, you can play with other people from other schools,” Wrede said.

Sophomore Grace Hammond said solo/ensemble brought an opportunity to be exposed to a competitive atmosphere.

“(Solo/ensemble) was a good opportunity, and I have never competed in anything like that before and so I want to become more involved with my instrument,” Hammond said.

Wrede said his score of his piece from solo/ensemble helps to prepare for his future.

“(The scoring) is very good to put on college applications and your resume,” Wrede said.

Hammond said she feels anxious because this will be her first time participating in solo/ensemble.

“I’m excited, but I’m also really nervous because I have never done anything like this before, but I think it is good to not necessarily get it over with but learn how to play in front of people,” Hammond said.

Orchestra’s solo/ensemble is at 4-9 p.m. on April 19, at Benilde St. Margaret’s.