Bainbridge High School musicians set a new school record at the recent 2025 WIAA/WMEA State Solo & Ensemble Competition, bringing home seven medals, including three golds for standout performer Finn Armstrong.

Armstrong led the Spartans to outperform all other high schools in band-related events at the competition held at Central Washington University in Ellensburg. BHS band director Chris Thomas said the performances were a testament to the students’ hard work and extolled the benefits of music education.

“Music is such a cool way to fall in love with doing a good job. These skills go beyond the lifelong joy of music making, although that is reason enough to celebrate. Musical study increases confidence, connection to others, critical and creative thinking skills, and so much more,” Thomas said. “I am so proud of these students. It was a joy and a privilege to see them all perform at state, where their months and years of hard work shined through as brightly as any other students out there.”

BHS sent 33 students to compete in 15 performances at the state level after advancing through winter regional qualifiers that involved 400 high schools across 22 regions.

Armstrong earned gold medals in both Clarinet Solo and Bass Clarinet Solo categories, then partnered with junior Claire Bremer to secure a third gold in the Small Woodwind Ensemble competition.

The medal count continued with silver-medal performances from junior Lillian Jackson in French Horn Solo—marking the first time a BHS brass player has medaled in program history—and senior Cole Moomaw in Timpani Solo, another program first.

Bronze medals went to Bremer for Bass Clarinet Solo and to the 17-member BHS Large Percussion Ensemble.

The showing extends the program’s four-year run of excellence. Since 2022, BHS musicians have accumulated 10 gold medals and 24 total medals, numbers unmatched by any other Washington high school music program.

Armstrong attributes much of his success to understanding how to work with a team and to challenging himself with goals to find a true artistic calling. “Not only am I extremely grateful for all of the music teachers in my life for helping make this accomplishment possible, but I am proud to have come so far and make so many wonderful memories due to this passion of mine,” Armstrong said.

To learn more about the BHS Band Programs, visit www.bainbridgebands.org or follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/bainbridgebands.