Students flock to Havre for district music festival

Hundreds of students converged on Havre over the weekend to show their ability in music and to learn some new tips during the annual District 7 Music Festival.

Havre High School senior Matt Curtis said the annual festival is a very educational event, "And much enjoyed by all who attend."

During the festival, students perform for adjudicators who critique their performance, giving the students tips afterward and rating their performance - the event is not competitive, and the students' performances are not ranked in the sense of first-place winners and second-place competitors and so on.

Performers in eligible solo and ensemble groups who receive the top rank, a superior rating, are eligible to perform at the state solo and ensemble music festival in Helena May 2-3.

Students from Big Sandy, Browning, Chinook, C/J-I High School, Cut Bank, Harlem, North Toole County High School, North Star High School and Shelby joined the Havre students performing Friday and Saturday for music professionals from around the state who adjudicated the performances.

Chinook High School freshman Kyler Johnson said hearing new critiques from professionals is a great help - students often push off and don't take seriously comments from other students.

Chinook High School senior Madison McCann said the comments both teach and show students for what they should strive, with a wealth of knowledge and information coming from the adjudicators.

"This is really fun. You learn a lot," she said.

Havre High School freshman Dustin Haas said the festival not only allows students to come out and show what ability they have, it also helps performing in groups and ensembles with upperclassmen and listening to the adjudicators.

"I've learned a lot from it," Haas said.