It's been many years since I've been surrounded by students in their daytime setting, the high school. And I've only sporadically accompanied singers on the piano. In high school, I'd play the national anthem and school song at assemblies. But that was low-level compared to supporting soloists - nine of them - at the annual Minnesota State High School League Music Contest held earlier this month at the University of Minnesota Duluth.

It was a challenging role. Any mistake will be obvious both to judges and to the vocalist. The pieces our new Cromwell-Wright music teacher, MaryRose Varo, chose...