Perfection!

Purchase this photo at dailystatesman.com NOREEN HYSLOP-nhyslop@dailystatesman.com Dexter High School band members making history on April 28 in Columbia, Mo., included (front row left to right) Lacey Midgett, Chandler Crowley, Michaela Lesley, Leah Noyes, Shelby Chappell, and Kendra Stevenson and (back row) Chuy Lara, Joseph Greer, Brandon Moore, Zane Olson, Alex Rybolt, and Brooks Propst. [Order this photo]

Managing Editor

It was the first time in the tenure of Dexter High School's Band Instructor Scott Rybolt, and perhaps the first time ever, that every Dexter High School contestant at the state level returned home with a Superior No. 1 rating.

It happened at the April 28 State High School Band Contest held in Columbia, Mo., on the campus of the University of Missouri. Local band members were afforded the opportunity to compete at the state level as a result of placing first on the local and then regional levels of competition.

"It's never happened in all my years here," said Rybolt this week, "and I know not in recent history. I couldn't be prouder of the efforts put forth by this group of students. They're a talented bunch, and I appreciate all the work they put into their music."

Performing in the clarinet sextet were senior Leah Noyes, sophomore Chandler Crowley, eighth grader Erin Lauters, sophomore Michaela Lesley, freshman Lacey Midgett, and senior Lauren Dudley.

Shelby Chappell, another senior at DHS, received a Superior No. 1 rating after performing her bassoon solo.

Lauren Dudley performed her alto sax solo for a first place rating, and senior Brandon Moore took top honors for his tenor sax solo.

The sax quartet of junior Joseph Greer, senior Zane Olson, Brandon Moore and Lauren Dudley earned a top rating, as did Alex Rybolt, a junior, who performed a trombone solo.

Finally, the trombone quartet of Alex Rybolt, freshman Brooks Propst, sophomore Kendra Stevenson, and junior Chuy Lara earned a top rating as well.