Marching Bands Earn High Marks

HARRISONBURG — Four local bands achieved the highest rating possible in this year’s marching band assessments by the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors’ Association.
 
The marching bands from Harrisonburg, East Rockingham, Broadway and Spotswood high schools all received overall “superior” ratings at assessments on Saturday. HHS and Spotswood achieved superior status from each judge in all categories — music performance, visual performance and general effect.
 
“We just try to do our best and it turned out [to be] superior, which is great,” HHS Marching Band Director Ian Richard said.
 
Receiving a superior rating at the marching band assessment is the first step to being named a Virginia Honor Band.
 
Next, the schools must achieve a superior rating this spring in the district concert assessments to receive the honor band status.
 
If the schools’ choirs also are rated superior at the respective assessment, the school can be named a Blue Ribbon School by the Virginia Music Educators Association.
 
“That’s kind of what we shoot for,” said Richard.
 
The assessment marked the end of the competitive seasons for the HHS, Spotswood and Broadway marching bands.
 
ERHS band will travel to Richmond this weekend for a competition and then pack it in for the season.
 
Contact Emily Sharrer at 574-6286 or esharrer@dnronline.com