Middle school band performs

The Washington Middle School Advanced Band earned a I+ rating at the Southeast Iowa Bandmasters Association (SEIBA) Junior High/Middle School Large Group Festival held at Solon Middle School Friday, March 28. The band performed three pieces: Rough Riders March by Karl King, arr. by Swearingen, Cumberland Cross by Carl Strohman, and Steel Driving Man (the Legend of John Henry) arr. David Meyers. At the conclusion of their performance, Megan Austin (West Liberty Middle School band director) worked with the band in a 15-minute mini-clinic. The band also received written and verbal comments from all three judges during its performance . The judges were Myron McReynolds (Iowa City High High School band), Dave Newport (retired Grinnell Middle School band director) and Megan Austin (West Liberty Middle School band director).

The band received scores of 33 (I+), 33 (I+) and 32 (I). The Middle School Advanced Band has 65 members (30 eighth-graders, 31 seventh-graders, and four sixth-graders) and is directed by Craig McClenahan.