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New Hanover County Schools Place in
Eastern District Middle School Band Festival

Four New Hanover County middle schools placed at the annual Eastern District Middle School Band Festival, which took place at West Craven High School, Vanceboro, North Carolina, earlier this month. More than 40 schools participated. Each band has one opportunity to perform for judges and earn a rating based on their playing. The results of each band that participates, in each district in the state, are published in the North Carolina Music Educator, a journal received by every music teacher in North Carolina. The four middle schools, and their rating, are as follows:

Murray Middle School
8th grade band - Superior
7th grade band - Excellent

Noble Middle School
combined 7th & 8th grade band - Superior

Trask Middle School
combined 7th & 8th grade band - Superior

Virgo Middle School
combined 7th & 8th grade band - Excellent

Each band that participates in the festival prepares three pieces to perform on stage. Those pieces must include a warm-up march and two other pieces of contrasting styles. Each band chooses music from a state list, which is broken down by grade level. The grade levels range from beginning band (Grade 1) to advanced bands (Grade 6). Most middle school bands participate in Grade 2 or Grade 3. Three judges provide written and taped comments based on the stage performance. After each band performs on stage, they enter a separate performance area to sight-read a piece of music they have never seen before. The band and their director have five minutes to learn the piece while a judge critiques the learning process and the band’s performance. The four ratings are combined and each band receives an overall score. Each band, regardless of rating, receives a certificate for participating, and bands that earn a Superior rating also receive a plaque.

Congratulations to the festival bands from Murray, Noble, Trask and Virgo Middle Schools for their fine performances!

The Eastern District will host their High School Band Festival on March 17-19, 2008, at Havelock High School, 101 Webb Boulevard, Havelock, NC, and four NHC high schools will participate: Ashley, Hoggard, Laney and New Hanover.
 

 

News/Announcements

3/17/08