Band Gets Superior Rating at State Competition

The state competitions in performing arts are something that the Symphonic Band prepares for all year long. Making sure they were in tune and warmed up was the most important element of performing the band focused on this year. At the festival, the band performed two songs: “Toccata,” by Girolamo Frescobaldi and “Arsenal,” by Jan Van der Roost.

Each group that participates is judged by three adjudicators. The band receives a number score from each person which is then averaged to get their overall score. Groups are awarded scores from one through five, with one being the best. This year, the Symphonic band was awarded a one from each judge.

“We kinda expected to get ones, although last year we didn’t,” senior flute player Claire Tracy said. “But we’ve been playing this music all year so we know it very well.”

The band performs at Blue Valley High School every year. According to Tracy, the experience isn’t about playing for an audience; it’s about learning from the music and the judges.

“The whole thing is the process of preparing for it and perfecting the music as well as you can,” Tracy said. “That day itself, you’re just playing for a couple people so it’s not all that nerve wracking, but it’s exciting to see the scores and what the judges think you should work on and that kind of stuff.”