Middle School Musicians Reign Superior

musicians are “superior” and “excellent.”

Seven music ensembles from the Caldwell-West Caldwell middle school participated in adjudicated music festivals last month. Six of the seven received a "superior" rating, the highest rating awarded, on their performances. The seventh received a rating of “excellent.”

The seventh grade band, eighth grade band, seventh and eighth grade orchestra, and seventh and eighth grade chorus recently travelled to Allentown, Penn. to participate in the High Note Music Festival. All four groups performed, earning "superior" ratings by the festival's judges.

Each group performed for a maximum of 20 minutes, which included set-up, introduction and dismissal. Groups were then provided with motivational ratings of good, excellent or superior. Following their performances at the festival, the seventh and eighth graders enjoyed the remainder of the afternoon at nearby Dorney Park.

High Note Festivals were created by Dr. Alyn J. Heim, past president resident of MENC All-Eastern Division, and a past president of New Jersey Music Educators Association. 

The GCMS sixth grade band and chorus each achieved their "superior" ratings at the Musical Carousel festival in Jackson, N.J., in May. The sixth grade orchestra received a rating of “excellent”. To earn the ratings, the groups performed selections of their choice.

Performances average 20 minutes in length and are critiqued by evaluators. Ratings of superior, excellent or good are assigned to each group.

This article was provided by Caldwell-West Caldwell Schools.