Excellent! becomes Superior!
NEWS FLASH - As reported earlier this week, the Bluffton High School orchestra received an Excellent (II) rating at this past weekend's music contest.
Rachael Lewis, director, informed the Icon today (Feb. 28) that a scoring error revealed that the orchestra actually rated "Superior" (I) at the OMEA State Orchestra Adjudicated Event held at Perrysburg HS on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 23-24.
The BHS orchestra performed on Friday night playing "Dia de Alegria" by Bob Phillips, "Shipwreck Beach" by Carole Neuen-Rabinowitz and "Rustic Dance" by Chris Thomas.
Solo parts on "Shipwreck Beach" were played by violinists Amanda Speicher and Ana Neufeld Weaver. The orchestra is under the direction of Rachael E. Lewis and Debra Herr.
PHOTO:
Front row (l-r) Leah Tabler, Grace Paquin, JC Schultze, Amy Jebsen, Alyssa Speicher, Lauren Speicher
2nd row (l-r) Rachael E. Lewis, Ana Neufeld Weaver, Zoe Kramer, Kaitlyn Montgomery, Libby Frazier, Kenzy Dauterman, Anna Knauss, Ellie Wright, Amanda Speicher, Debb Herr
3rd row (l-r) Gabe Neuenschwander, Melina Meza, Allie Burghaze, Tayler Nowak Valentine, Patrick Estell, Lily Shadle
Photo credit: Tonya Frazier
Stories Posted This Week
Friday, October 9, 2026
- Pirate girls soccer loss vs. St. Marys
- Pirate volleyball sweeps Carey
- “The Trumpet Player” sculpture at Bluffton University receives conservation grant
- October 9 Bluffton Schools athletics lineup, streaming
- Plenty of action at Oct 10 Dillinger robbery reenactment and motorcycle show
- Caitlyn Couch junior piano recital, October 16
- Bluffton community survey opens for Active Transportation Plan
Thursday, October 8, 2026
- Ada Icon headlines on Thursday, October 8
- St. John Bible Church to host "Refocus on Purpose" workshop
- Royal riches: Gout
- Has Bluffton made a birder out of you?
- BPL Afterschool activity: Curious Kids Club
- Book and pizza tasting at Bluffton Public Library
- Final 50 for 250 performance at BPL
- Walking through the Suter Corn Maze
- Resident feedback sought for Regional Transportation Plan
- Bluffton University honors three for service, achievement and leadership
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
- Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce monthly meeting, Friday, Oct. 9
- Fire extinguished at SRK Industries, plant resumed operation same day
- Bluffton girls tie Grove in NWC showdown
- Pirate volleyball falls to powerhouse Patriots
- BHS GOAT: Latin teacher Margaret Weaver
- Library patrons invited to showcase their collections or causes
- September 2026 land transfers in the Bluffton school district