January 24, 2026
Akins High School
Solo and Ensemble competition will take place on Saturday, January 24th at Akins High School. Students will work with an accompanist several times throughout the month of January, as well as at the competition.
The University Scholastic League requires that students play with a pianist as that is how the music was originally written for a string instrument and a piano accompaniment. The students are not allowed to play without the piano accompaniment.
Accompanist and Practices
The link for the pianist assignment and practice dates for all students participating in solo and ensemble is in the link provided below. Practices will be during classes and before school.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jXjtognAUFvR7Fp0pwh2IdsALnUgjcLo-L6M8jAugq8/edit?usp=sharing
If the solo name is incorrect or a student name is missing, students need to contact Ms. Solis directly as soon as possible.
Students who did not pass the 2nd nine-week grading period are not eligible to participate in the UIL Solo Contest. The passing grade for a regular class is 70, and for an honors and advanced placement class the passing grade is 60.
Cost
The cost for the accompanist is $75.00 and is paid by parents, but scholarships are available if needed. The cost includes two practices and the performance at Akins High School.
Payment for the accompanist should be submitted before the first practice by Venmo, cash or check.
Venmo Info:
Patrick Creel @Patrick-Creel-1 | The last four digits of the cell phone number are 6871
Cheryl Waggoner @Cheryl-Waggoner-3 | The last four digits of the cell phone number are 8229
Trevor Villwock @Trevor-Villwock | The last four digits of the cell phone number are 9705
Carrie Miller @Carrie-Miller-120 | The last four digits of the cell phone number are 8036
Karen White @Karen-White-276 | The last four digits of cell phone number are 1506
Weiwei Wang @Weiwei-Wang-8 | The last four digits of cell phone number are 0689
The deadline to apply for a pianist scholarship is January 9th.
Recitals
Recitals to help students prepare for solo and ensemble will take place beginning January 21st through January 23rd after school. Students need to select a time slot and should prepare to stay for the hour. The link to sign up is here.
Competition Details
- When: Saturday, January 24 – Students should arrive 1 hour before their assigned performance time and must check in with their room monitor twenty minutes before their scheduled time.
- Where: Akins High School – You can find a map of Akins HS, with important rooms labeled, here.
- Attire: Sunday Best – no jeans or shorts or tees or sneakers
Please read the following instructions carefully and make sure you / your student understands them.
- Dress appropriately (see above)
- Bring all of personal materials, music, rock stop shoulder rest, rosin and a clean instrument.
- Bring the original music for the judge with measures numbered. Write performers and school names on the music.
- Have a copy to read themselves.
- They’ll enter at the Main Akins HS Fine Arts Lobby and use the Band Hall for warm-up.
- Practice only in designated areas (Band Hall).
- Class 1 Solo students must declare to the judge their intent to perform from memory to be eligible for TSSEC.
- At the end of their performance, make sure to wait at the end to get the judge’s copy back so they can return the music to Ms. Solis on Monday.
- If you have an emergency text Ms. Solis at 512-431-8059