MPA is a state-sanctioned concert band festival, held in all seven band districts across the state for middle school and high school bands to attend. Essentially, this can be compared to a standardized test in core classes. Each band is required to prepare three pieces of music to be assessed on: a march (such as The Stars and Stripes Forever) along with two other pieces within a specific grade level based on the band’s skill level. Additionally, following this performance, each band is required to perform a piece of music they have never seen before after a brief preparation period. This section, called sight-reading, determines if the students have developed fundamental music-reading skills and the ability to play with good musical style as an ensemble at first sight of a piece of music. It is important to note that bands are not “competing” against one another like at a marching band competition or at an athletic event. Each band is performing for their own benefit to improve.
Band literature is divided up as Grades I, II, III, IV, V, VI, or Masterworks. Due to the number of factors which determine the rating of a piece of music, this is only a rough guideline. For example, individuals often think only of very fast, technically challenging pieces of music as being “hard”, but soft, lyrical, slow music can be a tremendous challenge for the individual and the ensemble. This stage performance is assessed by three judges and the sight-reading by one judge (typically active and/or retired band directors) where they judge categories including Tone, Intonation, Technique, Balance, Interpretation, and Musical Effect. Each judge gives the band a rating of I-Superior, II-Excellent, III-Average, IV-Below Average, and V-Poor. In addition to the rating, they provide written comments as well as a recording of critique that each band can use to improve.
The Mount Airy High School Concert Band is incredibly excited to have achieved straight superior ratings (superior from all four judges) at their first MPA. Mr. Nick Tirpak, Director of Bands, was thrilled with these results and incredibly proud of his students. “The students have grown tremendously throughout the course of the year–the band that walked into band camp in August is not the same band that performed at MPA last week! Seeing the students’ faces light up when I told them our scores is a memory that I will never forget!”
Students echoed these sentiments. Rebecca Hayes, a sophomore percussionist in the band said, “I was nervous from how well the other bands did, but I was proud of everyone after we performed!” Hannah Rudisill, a senior flute player, noted, “I was excited that we did so well with such a new experience. There were so many things that could have gone wrong, but because of the work everyone put in we got results I never would have imagined at the beginning of the year.” Isabella McMillan, senior tenor saxophonist was very proud of the band and shared, “It’s really so special to be a part of this group and bring back something our school hasn’t done in so long. Our new director has really done a lot for our program, everyone who hears us talks about how much we’ve grown!”
The band’s next performance is on May 16, 2023 at 7:00pm at Mount Airy High School.