Bainbridge, North Kitsap, Central Kitsap and Kingston high schools all placed at the recent state band and choir competitions in Ellensburg.

Bainbridge

The Spartans placed first in state in the large percussion category in band. On it were: Brighton Whittlesey, Zack Huck, Keaton Dernbach, Molly Montgomery, Jack Ekstrand, Ben Meier, Keon Deng, Jonathan Curcie, Theo Oestreich, Cole Moomaw, Liam Jurcak, Ben Beckett, Henry Berga and Liam Doherty.

They played second in small percussion ensemble with Ekstrand and Deng both on marimba.

They placed second in the woodwinds small category, with Lang Armstrong on alto, Elana Memke on soprano and Miles Wieland on piano.

Individually, Armstrong was second in both soprano and alto sax.

Ekstrand was second in state on the snare drum.

Receiving honorable mentions were: Anya Letson, Memke, Ben Gibson twice, Deng twice and Ekstrand.

Band director Chris Thomas said every BHS student earned honorable mention or a medal, which is very rare. Since 2006, BHS band members have earned nine gold, 10 silver and nine bronze, to go with 41 honorable mentions.

Students compete against all 400 WIAA high schools.

North Kitsap

For the Vikings, winning the state championship in choir was the large vocal group for soprano/mezzo/alto. It was the first time NK had won state in that category. Ten girls were in that group with Bel Canto.

They also placed second in that same category, but for small group. Corinne McKinley and Natalie Peterson were in that duet with Araldi.

Individually, Heidi Kraus tied for third in state for soprano voice.

In band, Cameron Repp was second in state in timpani.

Kingston

In band, Joseph Jafek was third in state for multiple percussion.

Central Kitsap

In band, Simon Stainbrook won state in french horn; Karsten Onarheim was first in alto-bass clarinet; and they won state in woodwinds-large with “Reed Between the Limes.”