School music competitions have been held all around the State in the last two weeks, and Malad High School and Middle School students performed very well.

Five students from Malad High School competed at the State Solo and Ensemble Contest held in Post Falls on April 30-May 2, 2026.  Band and chorus instructor Foster Garrett plus accompanists Lorna Brignone and Trudy Ward also made the long drive to northern Idaho.

Tavin Barnes placed 5th for his baritone sax solo

 Tavin Barnes placed fifth for his baritone saxophone solo. Bronson Garrett placed eighth for his tenor saxophone solo. Nolan Briscoe placed tenth for his bass vocal solo.  Mary Zabriskie (alto saxophone) and Karley Bennett (upright string bass) both placed eleventh for their solos. Approximately 16 student musicians from across the state (2 from each district) competed in each category.

On Tuesday, April 28, the Malad High School band and choruses competed at the High School District Music Festival held in Snake River.  The Malad High School Band and Chamber Chorus received “Superiors,” and the Malad High School Chorus received an “Excellent.”

On Wednesday, May 6, the Malad Middle School music groups competed at the Middle School District Music Festival held in American Falls. The beginning and intermediate bands received “Superiors” as did the 8th grade chorus. The 7th grade chorus received an “Excellent.”

To encourage fifth graders to consider taking band when they move on to middle school next year, Mr. Garrett conducted the Malad High School Band in a short concert at Malad Elementary School on Thursday, May 7.  

Bronson Garrett placed 8th for his tenor sax solo.

 Then the fifth graders, under the direction of their teachers, Cinniman Allen, Kallie Blaisdell, and Kim Jeppsen, went into a classroom to try four instruments: flute, clarinet, trumpet, and trombone.  Dante from Summerhays Music in Utah helped students with the flute, Jean Thomas helped with the clarinet, Foster Garrett helped with the trumpet, and high school students Temperance Garrett and Jayson Spencer helped with the trombone. Summerhays Music provided instruments, and high school band students assisted the fifth graders as they tried the instruments. 

Malad’s legacy of outstanding music performance groups and soloists continues.