Mountain Ridge High School in Glendale boasted 75 band, choir and orchestra solo/ensemble members at the Arizona Music Educators Association solo and ensemble festival this past Saturday, and received 33 "Superior" ratings.

Those receiving “Superior” ratings include:

Alexis Cairns (solo clarinet), Allyson Ritter (solo clarinet), Annaliesa Shepherd (solo percussion), Braden Scott (solo saxophone), Claire Xu Solo (flute), Claire Xu (solo, piano), Cooper Taylor (solo bassoon), Hyrum Davis (solo clarinet), Isaac Singh (solo saxophone), Jackson Aoyama (solo percussion), Jackson Aoyama (solo viola), Kalista Kaiser (solo flute), Kalista Kaiser (solo piccolo), Kristian Bailes (solo trombone), Liel Royal (solo clarinet), Nathan Kalna (solo saxophone), Sarah Cooney (solo flute), Tessa Taylor (solo clarinet), Elisabeth Green (solo voice), Ethan Millar (solo voice), Jovay Ezell (solo voice), Madeline Yeryomenko (solo voice), Malavika Anand (solo voice), Reimer Alkhafaji (duet), Scott Taylor Davis (trio), Nova Saxophone Quartet, MRHS Flute Choir, MRHS Clarinet Choir, MRHS Saxophone Orchestra, MRHS Trumpet Ensemble, MRHS Trombone Choir, MRHS Katraterra Percussion Ensemble, and MRHS Chamber Orchestra.

The Arizona Music Educators Association, the first Arizona school music teacher organization, was formed in 1936 as the “Band Association.” In 1937 the name was changed to “The Band and Orchestra Association,” and in 1938 the association was expanded and the name was changed to the “Arizona School Band, Orchestra, and Choral Association.”

In November of 1939 the organization formally reorganized as the Arizona School Music Educators Association with Eldon Ardrey, of Arizona State College, Flagstaff, as the first president.