Columbus Catholic Schools sends 16 musicians to State Solo & Ensemble Competition

MARSHFIELD – During the WSMA (Wisconsin State Music Association) District Solo & Ensemble Competition on Feb. 21, 2025 (hosted at Columbus Catholic High/Middle School), 16 Columbus events were able to move onto the state competition which will be held Saturday May 3, 2025 at UW-Stevens Point at the College of Letters and Science.
CCS band events who will be going to state include:
1. Flute Choir
2. Mariachi Band
3. Mary Keding, Jazz Brass Improvisation Solo

4. Brass Choir
5. Hawaiian Combo
6. Creative Jazz Combo
7. Jazz Ensemble Open Class
8. African Drums
9. Native American Combo
10. Jackson Bernitt, Bb Tenor Saxophone Solo
11. Appalachian Combo
CCS choir events who will be going to state include:
1. Ella Kadolph, Music Theater – Soprano/Alto Solo – AND –
Ella Kadolph, Soprano Solo
2. Trinity Brunzo, Soprano Solo
3. Jenny Schneider, Alto Solo
Since this year’s Solo & Ensemble Competition was hosted at Columbus Catholic High/Middle School, middle school students also had the opportunity to compete.
Middle school event that will be going to state:
1. Ava Keding & Caspar Kroening, Class A Duet
“To say I am proud of all my students is an understatement,” said Ashley Nikolai, the Columbus Catholic Middle/High School Concert Choir Director. “I look forward to another wonderful performance for those advancing to state in May! Great job band and choir students!”
“I am so pleased to have such success with great kids and musicians at my last Solo/Ensemble at Columbus,” said Mr. Zimmerman, the CCHS Concert Band Director.
Middle School Band Director, Danielle Wolf, said “For many middle school students, this was their first experience at solo and ensemble, and I am incredibly proud of how they embraced the challenge. I am very excited to see how they continue to grow as musicians in the years to come.”