During competition this week, both the Band and Orchestra at LMPS (Lakeland Middle Preparatory School) were ranked as “Superior” during the events at area schools.
Paula Bert Turner, orchestra director, said the Orchestra played at Kate Bond Middle School Wednesday (3.11.20) with the Band performing at West Collierville Middle School Tuesday (3.10.20).
Dozens of Applause-a-Grams from the Mid-Winter Concert attendees greeted the LMPS Concert Band and Concert Orchestra students Monday morning 3.9.20), as the young musicians worked to put finishing touches on their music for their annual regional ensemble adjudication at the 2020 WTSBOA (West Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association) Concert Festival, said Mrs. Turner.
“A panel of three judges (local performing musicians and retired music educators) critiqued and evaluated the concert portion of the performance, providing both helpful feedback and encouraging words. A fourth judge assessed the students’ ability to sight read an unfamiliar piece of music after only six minutes of silent study accompanied by verbal instructions from their directors.”
She said both the Band and Orchestra received “Superior” ratings from all four judges, commonly known as earning “Straight Ones”.
About the band, judges said, “Good tones lead to good pitch which leads to good balance and blend. Bravo!”, “There’s a lot of students putting a lot of effort into the performance. You are hitting details that some groups overlook.”, and “This band has a lot of talent, and they are going to go a long way.”
The orchestra received similar compliments, including “Beautiful sound. Lovely performance! Fantastic playing throughout every section.”, “Your group is incredibly good, getting all kinds of nuance.”, and “My critiques are ones I usually save for the most advanced high school groups. Keep up the good work!” Mr. Hopper and Mrs. Turner said that these results speak to the quality of work done daily in the music classrooms at all levels in the district, to the support of the school and district administration, and to the high level of commitment from students and parents to fine arts in the Lakeland School System.
… Photos courtesy of Band Director Brent Hopper and Jodi Davis.
