Washington Middle School 7th-and 8th-grade band earns Division I rating

The Washington Middle School seventh and eighth grade band earned a Division I rating at SEIBA Large Group contest at CCA on April 17. Their scores were 33, 33 and 32 out of a possible 35 points. A I+ rating cutoff is a 34. It was the 10th year in a row the band has received a I or I+ rating at SEIBA Large Group. Their selections included Colonel Bogey March, Salvation is Created, and March Diabolique. After the band's performance, two of the three judges came up and did a clinic with the band. WMS band director, Craig McClenahan, challenged the band before this contest to get the judges to compliment them on dynamics. He offered the band a pizza party if they could get at least one judge to specifically compliment them on their dynamic contrasts. The first clinician complimented them on their nice dynamics within the first two minutes of his clinic, which gave way to a small, but enthusiastic celebration by the band members. The band was scheduled to perform at the Pella Tulip Time Parade on Friday, May 3.