While many students were taking the SATs on March 1, seven musicians participated in the Sacramento State University music competition.

Two chamber groups, both conducted by Dan Ahlstrom, received Superiors in the competition, which included over 100 groups.

The first was a trio including flautists junior Minji Kim and senior Jennifer Han and senior saxophonist Jeremy Tempkin.

Kim, Tempkin, Han, junior violist Calvin Fernandez, freshman cellist Damien Blake, and freshman violinists Alex Graves and Sarah Fleming made up the second group.

Superior is the highest score in a grading system consisting of Superior, Excellent, and Good.

“These groups scored so well because they work hard, commit to early-morning rehearsals, [and] have been involved for enough years to get the reward of working toward a goal for multiple years,” said Ahlstrom.

The first group started practicing a month before the competition but met only four times, practicing for about one hour each time they met. The second group practiced on B, D, and F days before school.

“Everyone was shocked because we all thought we weren’t ready yet and we made a lot of mistakes,” said Kim.

Because the groups received Superiors, they will compete in the All State music competition, May 10. In anticipation, the groups will continue to practice hard.

“We are always shooting for a Superior,” said Tempkin.

This competition will also be held at Sac State but will have a different grading system. “Command” will be the highest score.

The group will have their picture and a description of the group published in a national magazine if they score Command. They will also receive a plaque. After “Command,” there are gold, silver, and bronze metals.

There will be at least 35 groups competing. The groups will be playing the same pieces they prepared for the Sac State competitions.

This competition will be special because “it represents some of the best musicians in the state,” Ahlstrom said.