Members of the Bridgeport High School Symphonic Band warmed up for the Region 10 Band Festival by performing “Alvamar Overture” and “Inchon” for their parents and other guests Tuesday evening at BHS.

 

This morning, the student musicians will play the same pieces, by composers James Barnes and Robert W. Smith, respectively, in an adjudication process at BHS. The Region 10 Band Festival host band is scheduled to play around 8:30 a.m. In addition to receiving a rating – I Superior, II Excellent, III Good, IV Fair or V Poor - participating bands will receive corrective criticism by six music professionals serving as adjudicators.

 

Both BHS and Robert C. Byrd High School will serve as host sites Wednesday and Thursday. Scheduled to take part over the course of two days are 40 high schools and middle schools from throughout Harrison, Taylor, Monongalia, Marion and Preston counties.

 

BHS will be represented by two bands: The BHS Symphonic Band and a freshman band. In addition to BHS and Bridgeport Middle School, other Harrison County bands include Lincoln High and Middle, RCB, South Harrison High and Middle, Liberty, Mountaineer Middle, Washington Irving Middle School,

 

Each band participating in the adjudication process has chosen two selections from the West Virginia Band Masters Graded Music List. On the list, selections are graded from level 1 (easiest) to level 6 (most difficult).

 

RCB Band Director Keith Grubb and BHS Band Director Chris Hayslette are serving as co-chairs for this year’s event.

 

As he has for more than 30 years, longtime music educator and band director Mike Ford is serving as festival director. He said the band festival was scheduled earlier than usual this year.

 

In 2016, BHS and BMS received straight superior ratings. BHS performed “The Watch and the Saint” by Steven Reineke and “One with the Wind” by Matt Conaway. BMS performed “Jubilance” and “Fields of Kent.”

 

Editor's Note: Photo of BHS Symphonic Band during Tuesday evening's performance is courtesy of Justina Ogden.