Five performances by Kitsap musicians earned high honors in a statewide competition Friday and Saturday, including two performances that took top prizes.
Nick Stahl from Bainbridge High School took first in the solo soprano-alto saxophone category, outperforming four other competitors.
Shannon O’Brien from Bremerton High School won a solo competition in the vocal-bass category.
Second place winners included a small percussion group from Central Kitsap High School and small vocal group from North Kitsap High School. Kelly Lanzafame from North Kitsap High School took third in the vocal-alto category.
The annual competition happens on the last Friday and Saturday of April and Central Washington University in Ellensburg hosts the event. Contestants from across the state first competed in 22 separate regional contests to qualify for the showcase.
This is, according to one educator, the musical equivalent to athletes taking state.
