On Saturday, Feb. 6, guitar students participated in the UIL Solo & Ensemble competition held at Morton Ranch High School. Bellaire students received a total of 24 gold medals & 38 silver medals. 12 of the gold medals were for solo pieces, and 12 are for ensemble pieces, which were either trios or quartets. Guitar teacher Mark Moore explained how the students were scored.

“Students are really just competing against themselves to see how well they can get a piece of music down,” Moore said. “The judge will award the students a score of 1, the top score you can get, or a 5, the lowest score you can get. If the students receive a score of 1 they win a medal.”

Gold medals were awarded to students who performed a class 1 piece, which is the most difficult level. These students are qualified to compete at the state level competition. Silver medals were awarded to students who performed a class 2 piece, a slightly easier level. Students had to choose pieces from a classical-based prescribed music list. Moore commented on how the competition affected the students.

“It’s just a great way for students to challenge themselves to see how good they get the piece of music down,” Moore said. “It makes the students into a better guitarist because they really have to work hard to get this.”

Junior Joseph McConnell, one of the many students who received a gold medal, described how he prepared for the UIL competition.

“I practiced a lot,” McConnell said. “I came to the guitar room during lunch a couple times a week ever since Christmas.”

Moore commented on the guitar program at Bellaire. “We’re really the only high school in.” Houston that has a full-fledged guitar program,” Moore said. “It’s something that’s growing… we’re hoping to get more high schools with guitar programs.”