Klamath Union High School's band program is celebrating strong showings from its students at the Southern Oregon Music Educators Association (SOMEA/OMEA District 8) Winds & Percussion Solo and Ensemble Festival, held this past Saturday, February 28, 2026, in Ashland, Oregon. In this district-level contest high school musicians perform prepared solo pieces, receive ratings and feedback from adjudacators, and vie for advancement to the OSAA State Solo Contest.
Photo above: Klamath Union High School band members Tommy Biggs, left, and Oliver Case celebrate outstanding performances.
KUHS standouts brought dedication and skill to the stage:
Seniors Aeris Saindon (bassoon) performed "Bassoon Sonata" by Georg Philipp Telemann, and Elaina Nork (alto saxophone), played a vibrant rendition of the "Sonata" by Lawson Lunde.
Photo: Klamath Union senior Elaina Nork plays "Sonata" by Lawson Lunde
Photo: Ponderosa's Braedon Henderson sets up his snare with the help of band director Drew Langley and his parents.
Photo: Klamath Union's Aeris Saindon performing "Bassoon Sonata" by Georg Philipp Teleman
Junior Tommy Biggs (trumpet) impressed with his technically demanding performance of Hummel's Trumpet Concerto.
Freshman Oliver Case (trombone) delivered a strong and confident performance of "All 'Antica" by Alphonse Goeyens.
In outstanding news, Tommy Biggs placed first in his instrument category, earning his spot to advance to the prestigious OSAA State Solo Contest on May 2, 2026, at Portland State University. Biggs finished fifth in the 2025 State Solo Contest.
Also gaining valuable experience were talented students from Ponderosa Middle School—the future "Pelican Flight Path" feeders who will soon join the KUHS band program. Showcasing their musical talents were Braedon Henderson (percussion), Jonah Kupitz (trumpet), and Oliver Coslet (trumpet).
Congratulations to all who competed! Your achievements inspire the entire KUHS family and the next generation of Pelicans. Keep practicing; greater stages await!
Klamath Union High School Pelicans Shine at Southern Oregon University High School Honor Band
Seven talented musicians from the Klamath Union High School (KUHS) Band Program participated in the Southern Oregon University (SOU) High School Honor Band, delivering an outstanding performance on February 15, 2026, in the SOU Music Recital Hall in Ashland.
Arriving on the SOU campus Friday afternoon, the students dove into an intensive weekend of rehearsals and music classes. They stayed in the SOU dorms, enjoying meals on campus and bonding with floor mates for a fun, immersive college music student experience.
Despite the short timeframe, these young musicians learned and performed four challenging wind band pieces with remarkable skill and precision, showcasing what dedicated high school talent can achieve in just a weekend.
This annual event brings together roughly 60 top instrumentalists from high schools across Southern Oregon (including Ashland, Crater, Grants Pass, Henley, Klamath Union, and others). The KUHS students who performed include: Elaina Nork (saxophone), Daisy Kupitz (bass), Aeris Saindon (bassoon), Lamonte Jefferson (clarinet), Will Graham (trombone), Jay Stewart (trombone), Zahira Rico (clarinet).
These musicians represented the Pelicans with pride, contributing to the collaborative spirit of the Honor Band under the direction of Dr. Alexander Gonzalez. "It is so impressive what they pulled off in such a short amount of time," noted Bonnie Nork, a member of the KUHS Band Boosters.
The KUHS Band Boosters generously provided scholarships to cover the participation costs for all seven students, enabling them to take advantage of this enriching opportunity without financial barriers.
