Music students from East Grand Schools last week were thrilled to receive the highest scores for their performances at the Solo & Ensemble Festival in Hayden.

The hard work of the students and their director produced outstanding results. There were 21 musical performers from East Grand and 19 of the students received “Superior” and “Excellent” ratings, two received “Very Good” ratings.

The trip was arranged by East Grand Schools Music Director Brad Pregeant ,who also accompanied them on piano for their performances.

With such consistently high scores, the judges had only praise and support for the East Grand Schools students, and commended the overall outstanding strengths of East Grand Music programs.

Other accomplishments for the 2013-14 school year for East Grand music students and director Brad Pregeant include their performances for Jazz Aspen-Snowmass Honor Jazz, in Aspen; their trip to Colorado State University in Pueblo participating in the Festival of Winds Honor Band; performance in the Fall Vocal Fest in Rifle; participation in Northwest Colorado Honor Band in Aspen; and performances at Mesa State University in Grand Junction, where they sang with more than 200 students in the Colorado Choral Directors Select Choir. The music students received high praise and commendations for each and every one of these shows.

“It’s a joy to be able to lift these students up and see them gain confidence in other areas of their lives through music,” said Director Pregeant.

Echoing sentiments of many of Pregeant’s 220 Music students in both schools at East Grand, student Hannah Flaherty said simply, “Music is my refuge.”

“I always have something to look forward to and I have found a family in school music,” said Middle Park High School student Dallas Lester.