During the past two weekends, 12 bands and orchestras from the Clarkston Instrumental Music Department participated in the District 4 Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association Festival. Of those 12 groups, 11earned first division ratings, making them eligible to perform at the State level.
In perusing statewide results, this a unique result for a school system and should be viewed as a ‘point of pride? for the Clarkston schools and community.
For those not familiar with the festival process, the band or orchestra prepares three selections ? a march of the director’s choosing, a selection from the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association’s ‘required list? and a piece chosen by the director to showcase his or her group’s best attributes.
Three adjudicators listen to the concert performance and award a series of grades based on tone, rhythm, intonation, technique and interpretation. A predominance of grades on each judge’s sheet determines the rating he or she awards the group. The ratings of all three judges are then combined for the concert rating.
Following the concert performance, groups proceed to sight-reading where the director is given seven minutes to teach the students two pieces of music ? a march and a concert piece ? that the students have not seen before.This process relies on the knowledge the students garnered throughout the year. Strengths and weaknesses are clearly demonstrated in the sight reading room.
A single adjudicator awards a rating based on the same factors used on the concert stage plus some additional concepts such as error recovery, preparation and involvement in instructions.
Parents and those in attendance during the sight reading process are always amazed at what is accomplished in this short amount of time.
The sight reading rating is combined with the concert rating using an MSBOA formula to obtain the final rating. Ratings range from a high of first division to a low of fifth division. Only those groups earning a first division rating are allowed to go on to the State level. Groups earning first and second division ratings are awarded medals for their accomplishments.
Directors of the Clarkston bands and orchestras include: Wendy Stuart- Orchestra, Michael Lewis – Band, Julie Mathews – Band, Justin Harris – Band, Shelley Roland- Band and Amy Armbruster-Band Student Teacher.
Clarkston High School hosts a State Band and Orchestra Festival on May 5-6. The community is invited and encouraged to attend all performances. For more information and an updated schedule, go online to www.clarkstonbandorchestra.org.