By HANNAH GREENBERG – News Writer
After preparing for the Georgia Educated Music Association’s Large Group Performance Evaluation for two months, Clarke Central High School’s band, Symphonic Winds, ranked “superior” in Performance as well as Sight Reading.
On March 9, the 55 members of Clarke Central High School’s band, Symphonic Winds, participated in the Georgia Educated Music Association’s Large Group Performance Evaluation held at Jefferson High School.
The Symphonic Winds received superior ratings in both Performance as well as Sight Reading for the first time in 20 years.
Clarke Central High School band director Dr. Robert Lawrence directs his band during a school day practice session. Photo by Carlo Nasisse.
“The band (did not compete in evaluations) before I got here six semesters ago. It’s the most important thing a band does at anytime of the year in high school education,” CCHS band director Dr. Robert Lawrence said. “It involves the display and evaluation of Georgia Educational Music Standards, which we employ in our lesson plans.”
Three judges and a small audience were present during the performance, in which the Symphonic Winds played “Voice of America,” an “Adagio” and “Danza No. 2.”
“We performed three songs on stage while the judges recorded their thoughts and opinions on the way we played,” CCHS junior alto saxophonist Alex Dominicali said. “After (the performance) we moved on to sight reading. We (received) music we had never seen before and had (six) minutes to learn as much as we could. (Then we) were expected to perform it as best as we could. It’s extremely nerve-racking being in that position.”
According to Lawrence, both he and his students were content with their presentation, although they felt they had done better during rehearsals. However, the results showed differently; they scored “superior,” the highest possible rating, in both sections of the evaluation.
“I could not hold back my own emotions (after the results were announced). For six semesters I have been working towards this — this is what it’s all about,” Lawrence said. “I just couldn’t speak, and me being speechless, that’s probably worth about ten lottery tickets.”
Dominicali was also excited about the rankings.
“Being in band is like being on a team — you might be a great asset to the program, but you can’t win without your teammates. We depend on everyone (and) this year we managed to come out with victory (by) getting all superiors,” Dominicali said.
Prior to the competition, the Symphonic Winds prepared by rehearsing every day during fourth block of the 2012 spring semester. Time was also spent after school, when instrumental sections rehearsed together. On Feb. 17 and 18 the band spent 12 hours rehearsing during their annual Prefestival Camp. Clinicians Darren Johnson, Director of Bands at Peach County High School and Gary Bradley, retired Georgia Instrumental Educator of 35 years, came to listen and give advice.
“I work really hard (and) the kids work extremely hard. I’ve put them through (a lot), but they come back the next day,” Lawrence said.
Lawrence was pleased with the effort the band participants put into rehearsals as well as their presentation during the evaluation. According to Lawrence, results such as these could not have been accomplished without each individual’s hard work.
“Everybody was a key player. This band is not built necessarily on individual competence as it is group — it’s a family,” Lawrence said. “The least important contribution was mine. I was in for the ride (while) they did the work (and) made it happen. All the (credit) goes to the kids.”
The CCHS Symphonic Winds have accepted an invitation from South Carolina State University to open for SCSU’s Auto Winds on April 13.
“It is an honor to be invited to perform as the spotlighted performance at the South Carolina State University Clinic and Honor Band Weekend,” Lawrence said. “I am very proud to be the director of such an ensemble of high school students that possess a strong work ethic.”
