Thomas County Central High School Bands students “rocked” their recent performance evaluation.
The TCCHS Gold and Blue concert bands each received Superior ratings in their Georgia Music Educators Association District 2 Large Group Performance Evaluation. The event was held last week at Cairo High School.
“Simply put, our TCC band students rocked,” director Michael Thomas said. “Both concert bands earned solid Superior ratings. In fact they have surpassed the goal, earning the awards with notable achievement.”
Band students who participated are proud of their scores, too.
“I think that it is a wonderful experience to be able to get onstage and play with an outstanding band,” TCCHS Blue Band member DaWayne Harrell said. “I feel great about the bands’ scores of all Superiors. It was an amazing feeling to stand there and watch the judge put up our scores.”
The evaluation included playing prepared selections and sight-reading. The process is detailed, Thomas explained.
“Just imagine taking your classes and placing them in a public place as they are essentially tested and reviewed by three prominent adjudicators,” he wrote in a thank you note to TCCHS staff. “Then progress to another judge in a different close[d] classroom setting as the students and the teacher are graded/reviewed on material they have never seen. Then follow that by the class performing with their student director as a concerted team.”
Students said they spent time during class each day and hours after school preparing for the evaluation.
TCCHS Gold Band member Justin Barfield, a senior percussionist, felt the event “went really well” and is “very proud” of his fellow band members.
His favorite piece from the TCCHS Gold Band’s performance was “Celebrations” by John Zdechlik.
“I enjoyed playing this selection because not only was it technically challenging, but it was a very entertaining piece,” he said.
Harrell, 17, plays the tuba. His favorite selection from his band’s set was “Arsenal” by Jan Van der Roost.
“I like this piece because it was fun to play and more challenging,” he said.
Barfield and Harrell thanked their fellow band members and their instructors for their hard work and assistance.
“I am extremely proud of everything that we accomplished,” Barfield said.