Notes from the Podium- April 10th

There is always a brief sigh of relief after contest in April. Well, relief and pride. This is my sixth year on staff at Benton High School in front of the band. Every year, the students keep improving. Every year, the band keeps getting bigger. Every year, I am awed by the amount of commitment that is shared between students and parents that make this a wonderful place to be. I cannot express to you how lucky I feel on a regular basis. I know that I am truly blessed to be working with such great people!

The band achieved some very great things on April 2nd. I try to preach not caring about scores and trophy, but I have to tell you- positive feedback is always great to receive. Not only did the band receive great scores from the judges, but I also received many, many compliments from directors in the audience. They could not believe the progress that has happened at Benton! Many people now share the view that we are creating a great musical environment inside our room. It's nice for it to finally make it out to the general public.

I know that it only gets better from here! Please make plans to come to our May concerts. The students are making great music on a daily basis! It would be great to have a large supportive crowd to listen to them on May 7th for Jazz Band and May 14th for Concert Band.


Some Nuts and Bolts-
Please make sure to have your NY Trip paid off by the end of this month. I will be handing out balance sheets on April 15th during concert band.

Yes, band students have an extended school year. We are expected to play for the commencement ceremony on May 31st at 7 PM. It is an honor for us to be a special part of our seniors' big day! Please make plans to be there. We're counting on you!!! We will be playing a special 30 minute concert before the ceremony along with the normal "Pomp amd Circumstance".

State Large Group Results

Last week, the band performed at the Charles Johnson Theater for judges as part of the State Large Group Contest.

State Large Group provides ratings for all bands that perform that day. Judges grade the bands with a rating that ranges from Superior (I) to Poor (V). On their prepared literature on the stage, the band received ratings from 3 judges. These ratings were the highest that Benton has seen in 10 years! The judge for the stage performance gave the band two Superiors (I) and one Excellent (II). This gave the band an overall rating of Superior (I) on the stage!

As part of their overall rating, the band is also required to sightread a piece for a judge in a separate performance area. The piece this year proved to be difficult for most of the 4-A bands to play in our district. Benton was among the higher scoring bands with its Good (III) rating in the sight-reading room. This score is combined with the score on stage to provide the band's overall rating.

For the second straight year, the band earned an Excellent (II) rating overall! It was a well-earned score, but more importantly, it was a great music experience for everyone involved! The students should be congratulated for their artistic achievements!!!