KM Middle School music students are Superior!
Music Performance Adjudication (MPA) is held across the state during the month of March for band, chorus and orchestra groups. The 8th grade band and 7th and 8th grade choruses from Kings Mountain Middle School attended two scheduled MPA events earlier this month.
The KMMS 8th grade band went to their MPA event at Hickory Ridge High School in Cabarrus county on March 6. They performed three different selections for the judges. The pieces were entitled: “Fox Sparrow March,” “Shenandoah Valley,” and “As the Spirit Soars.” The first piece, “Fox Sparrow March,” was actually written by KMMS band director Kevin Clary and was originally commissioned for a band in South Dakota. Following the completion of their stage performance, all bands must go to, “Sight reading.” During this part of the experience, students are given five minutes to learn a piece of music they have never seen before. This part of the experience can be very challenging for young players.
At the conclusion of their performance, the 8th grade band received a superior rating, the highest possible, from all of the judges, for both the stage and sight reading parts of the event. Further, the staff and students working that day told the event chairperson that the Kings Mountain Middle School students were remarkably kind and well behaved. These compliments were passed along when the band received their straight superior rating.
This is only the third time an 8th grade band from KMMS has participated in the South Central District MPA event. This year, the 8th grade band was directed by KMHS director Andrew Washburn.
The KMMS 7th and 8th grade choruses under the direction of Susan Gray and Heather Bundon attended their MPA event at First Presbyterian Church of Gastonia on Tuesday, March 25th. The 7th grade chorus performed “Ubi Caritas”, and “Follow the Drinking Gourd”. During the final weeks of rehearsals, the KMMS 7th grade chorus had the unique opportunity to perform via Facetime for Victor Johnson, who was the composer of one of their selections, “Ubi Caritas”. This choir received very high superior scores from all three of the performance judges.
The 8th grade chorus performed “O Nata Lux” and “How Can I Stop Singing My Song”. The three performance judges gave these students very high superior scores in addition to very positive feedback.
After each groups’ performance of their prepared literature, the students moved to a different room, and sight read a brand new piece of music. The difficulty level was chosen by their directors. They had one minute to prepare a rhythm exercise and 2 minutes to prepare a melodic exercise. 7th grade chorus sight read at an intermediate level and received a perfect 100 score. 8th grade chorus performed at an advanced 2-part level and also received a perfect 100 score. The sight-reading judge commented that she had never had a choir choose this level of difficulty and do it with such precision.
Kings Mountain Middle School is blessed to have such superior music programs.
At the conclusion of their performance, the 8th grade band received a superior rating, the highest possible, from all of the judges, for both the stage and sight reading parts of the event. Further, the staff and students working that day told the event chairperson that the Kings Mountain Middle School students were remarkably kind and well behaved. These compliments were passed along when the band received their straight superior rating.
This is only the third time an 8th grade band from KMMS has participated in the South Central District MPA event. This year, the 8th grade band was directed by KMHS director Andrew Washburn.
The KMMS 7th and 8th grade choruses under the direction of Susan Gray and Heather Bundon attended their MPA event at First Presbyterian Church of Gastonia on Tuesday, March 25th. The 7th grade chorus performed “Ubi Caritas”, and “Follow the Drinking Gourd”. During the final weeks of rehearsals, the KMMS 7th grade chorus had the unique opportunity to perform via Facetime for Victor Johnson, who was the composer of one of their selections, “Ubi Caritas”. This choir received very high superior scores from all three of the performance judges.
The 8th grade chorus performed “O Nata Lux” and “How Can I Stop Singing My Song”. The three performance judges gave these students very high superior scores in addition to very positive feedback.
After each groups’ performance of their prepared literature, the students moved to a different room, and sight read a brand new piece of music. The difficulty level was chosen by their directors. They had one minute to prepare a rhythm exercise and 2 minutes to prepare a melodic exercise. 7th grade chorus sight read at an intermediate level and received a perfect 100 score. 8th grade chorus performed at an advanced 2-part level and also received a perfect 100 score. The sight-reading judge commented that she had never had a choir choose this level of difficulty and do it with such precision.
Kings Mountain Middle School is blessed to have such superior music programs.
KM Middle School music students
are Superior!
are Superior!
8TH GRADE BAND
8TH GRADE CHORUS
7TH GRADE BAND (Photos provided)
