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Region 10 Band Festival Day One: Bridgeport High Symphonic Band Earns Superior Rating

By Julie Perine on April 19, 2018 via Connect-Bridgeport.com

At the end of day one of the Region 10 Band Festival, seven bands scored superior ratings at adjudications held at Bridgeport High School. Among those ensembles was the Bridgeport High School Symphonic Band, comprised of upperclassmen, which performed Grade Level 4 and 5 selections from the West Virginia Bandmasters Graded Music List (1, least difficult and 6, most difficult). Those selections were "Solas Ane" by Samuel Hazo (level 4) and "Festivo" by Vactav Nelhybel (level 5). Assistant Band Director Robin Bohn and Band Director Chris Hayslette directed the selections, respectively. 
 
"I thought our students played very well," Hayslette said. "We did a run through for the parents on Tuesday evening which helped to work out some of the nervousness. They played better yesterday than they have all semester for sure."
 
The rating is the overall average score received by three different adjudicators for a band’s performance of two selections, said Michael Ford, Region 10 Band Festival director.
 
BHS is accustomed to receiving superior ratings at the annual Region 10 Band Festival, but each year - and the performance of each selection - brings new challenges, said senior band member Samantha Holbert. She's very proud of her fellow student musicians and said earning straight superior ratings at this year's festival was a nice way to end her senior year. 
 
Senior Emily Ogden echoed those remarks.
 
"It was my last BHS performance and it was good to end it with a superior rating," she said. "I will miss performing under Mr. Hayslette and Ms. Bohn's direction, but I am looking forward to continuing to play at WVU." 
 
Both Holbert and Ogden have played clarinet all four years at BHS. 
 
The senior class has always been a driving force within the band and this year was no different, Hayslette said.
 
"The seniors have been great to work with and we will miss them," he said.
 
Also receiving superior ratings at the BHS adjudication site were Grafton High School, Morgantown High School Concert Band, Morgantown High School Symphonic Band, University High School Concert Band, East Fairmont High School and Fairmont Senior High School. Other bands evaluated at the BHS location were West Preston Middle School, South Harrison Middle School and North Marion High School. (See full results below.)
 
Serving as adjudicators Wednesday at BHS were Tom Castle, Tom Chaffin and Dan Thomas.
 
The Bridgeport High School Concert Band and Bridgeport Middle School are among bands to be adjudicated today at BHS. Their 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. evaluations will be followed by Taylor County Middle, Bruceton Middle, East Preston Middle, Suncrest Middle, Westwood Middle and Fairview Middle with Preston High School, West Fairmont Middle, Saint Francis Middle, Monongah Middle and Trinity Christian auditioning in the afternoon. Adjudicators are Steve Swank, Lloyd Bone and John Schooley. Hayslette serves as event chair at the Bridgeport site.
 
Public viewing is encouraged, but band members cannot be distracted in any way. Despite times listed for auditions, it’s likely that auditions will run slightly ahead of schedule. Those planning to attend should arrive early. Doors will be closed once a band starts the audition process and remain closed until that band’s audition is complete.
 
Robert C. Byrd High School is the other host site See Wednesday's results from day one below.
 
Bands not receiving a numerical rating have opted out of that process, Ford explained.
 
“If the rating indicates ‘comments only,’ the band director elected not to play for a rating, but only for the judges’ comments, which is permissible within the festival rules and regulations,” he said. “If a rating indicates an NR or ‘not rated,’ this means that the band performed at least one of the two required songs that were not listed on the official graded music list or a selection was performed out of compliance to the festival plan and as such was not eligible for a rating.”
 
The Region 10 Band Festival is mandated by the WVSSAC for all high school and middle school bands in the five-county area which comprises Region 10. In addition to Harrison, the region includes Monongalia, Marion, Preston and Taylor counties.
 
Today’s results are forthcoming on Connect-Bridgeport.
 


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