SHS Drama Club band members played in the pit orchestra for the musical “Something Rotten” and won Musician Apprentices awards with Mallia on trumpet and Solarte on violin. The Dazzle Awards are an opportunity for high schoolers in Northeast Ohio to showcase their musical talents towards the end of May at Playhouse Square each year. Judges from the organization come to watch high school productions all around Ohio in order to nominate schools and actors for numerous awards.
After the SHS musical “Something Rotten,” SHS Drama Club was also nominated for awards in the following categories: Choreography Execution, Ensemble/Chorus, Best Musical, Best Actor- Isaac Lewis. The official winners of these categories will be announced at the awards ceremony on May 17.
Sophomores Solarte and Mallia have been playing their instruments for several years and for two years in the SHS orchestra.
“Last year I shadowed Mr. Mauldin for trombone in our show ‘Curtains’,” Solarte said. “But when I went to talk to Mr. Mac about it, he thought I would have more fun this year with the violin, and he was absolutely right.”
The two applied for the award in early April for a chance to showcase their musical talents.
“We had to submit a video of us playing the audition piece they required,” Solarte said. “Along with 16-32 bars of something that you either played in your own show’s pit, or something you are currently practicing individually.”
After the production of “Something Rotten,” on April 29 it was announced that they both won musician apprentice awards. The award entails them taking master classes in Cleveland on May 14 and playing in the pit of the official Dazzles Awards ceremony on May 17.
“It came as a huge surprise,” Mallia said. “I’m incredibly excited and grateful for the opportunity.”
With Dazzles being a widely known organization, Solarte also said how much of an honor it is to have won this award.
“I am so ecstatic about winning, and I am so grateful I have this opportunity,” Solarte said. “I love the pit so much, and this is absolutely crazy.”
SHS orchestra director Gerald MacDougall said that Solarte and Mallia are very dedicated musicians and that winning this award is a great opportunity for the two.
“They spend their time outside of school figuring it out, and when they show up they have answers already,” Macdougall said. “When I work with them, I can give suggestions for improvement, not [directions on] how to do something.”
MacDougall also said how important it is for high school students to experience their passions outside of school.
“We never know what it’s like to be out in the world without some kind of exposure to it,” Macdougall said. “This is one very specific thing that can lead to a career.”
Solarte said how she left the master classes feeling inspired and excited for the ceremony this coming Saturday.
“My mentor gave me a bunch of tips on different ways to play things that I had never learned before,” Solarte said. “I also got to meet some super cool musicians, and got to know so much about them and the program itself.”
Mallia said how he learned new tactics to improve his musical skills and is also excited for the ceremony.
“The main thing I learned is that I need to be much more aggressive with everything I do musically,” Mallia said. “Aggressive dynamics, articulations and tone are key for playing in a show.”
Solarte said that after their exposure to professional musicians, they are encouraged to do their best in the performance.
“Playing in the pit [for the ceremony] is very stressful because we only have two rehearsals to learn everything,” Solarte said. “However, I am still super stoked to be able to play with musicians that I look up to.”
The two said how they are grateful for the experience and that they are able to share their love of music with others.
“It’s not only the playing I love, it’s also the people I’m with, and it just makes me so happy,” Solarte said.
