The halls of Bradford High School were alive with the sounds of music Saturday as more than 1,500 students competed in the district-wide solo and ensemble competition.

For Mahone Middle School violists Jalen Johnson, 13, and Sage, Greenwood, 14, who played C. de Beriot’s “Springtime” as a duet, their participation in the competition is a testament to their love for music. It’s the reason they and many students in the Kenosha Unified School Distirct look forward to the annual Wisconsin School Music Association District Solo and Ensemble Festival.

All performances are evaluated by judges and superior performances in the top-rated classification for difficulty of music performed advance to the state contest to be held May 2 at the University of Wisconsin Parkside.

Jalen and Sage, who’ve known each other since their early orchestra days at Curtis Strange Elementary, said they’ve always enjoyed playing viola.

“For me it’s having a special skill that I hope will inspire others to do (the same),” Jalen said following his very first judged performance.

Sage, who has performed before judges in past said, she wants to teach her musical craft to elementary students. She’s also encourages others to learn to play an instrument.

“I got my cousin started in music and she’s playing the saxophone,” she said.

Her mother, Debbie, said music is an outlet that helps kids excel in other areas, too.

“I wanted her to be involved in something organized, structured,” Debbie Greenwood said. “Music helps to keep her focused on academics and she practices and seems to really enjoy it.”

One new mom who enjoyed a percussion performance from her students was Mahone band director Kristie Kruse. Kruse, who brought 11-week-old Kilie, said she was especially proud of how percussionists executed the repetitive, yet complex, layering of sounds of the marimba to the snares and the vibes.

“I’m so proud of them. Listening across the ensemble can be difficult for a group. There can’t be a weak link,” she said. “You can tell they really worked hard.”

The ensemble’s strong performance, directed by instructor John Stolfe, had Kilie both mesmerized and interested.

“She slept at Band-O-Rama, but she was awake through this,” Kruse said. “I think she really enjoyed it.

Judge Gary Huber, a percussion instructor from Waukesha, agreed.

“It’s important you listen across the ensemble and you did. Sometimes the volume got a little loud,” he said, after applauding their efforts. “Nice job. Good intensity. Thanks for playing.”

The alto saxophone trio of Colin Mattoon, 13, Seth Greidanus, 12 and Noah Broedorn, 13, from McKinley Middle School performed a special arrangement of “Amazing Grace” for a judge who told them to be aware of the piece’s instructions for playing loud or soft, but liked their balanced approach to the piece. Their instructor Karl Mueller, McKinley band director, who chose the piece for the group, was on hand to observe.

Colin said he was drawn to the selection for its solemnity.

“It so moving, so emotional,” he said.

By the same token, the piece also is an expression of redemption, something Seth said he liked.

“I liked playing it because I found it uplifting,” he said.