Washington middle school competes at SEIBA

The Washington Middle School seventh and eighth grade band attended SEIBA Large Group Contest on Wednesday, April 26, at Clear Creek-Amana High School. Their performance included “March Phantasma” by Randall Standridge, “Salvation is Created” arranged by Michael Brown and “(Not) Alone” by Randall Standridge. Three adjudicators gave them written and verbal comments and scores, and two of them came up to give a short clinic to the band.

The band scored 25, 28, and 31 out of a possible 35 from the judges which earned them a Division I- rating. There are seven ratings and, Division I is the third highest score they can receive.

"The students played the best they had all year and yet we knew we weren't quite where we wanted to be,“ Director Craig McClenahan said. ”Large group is a great way of saying, ‘Here is where we are right now,’ and then finding ways to improve. Hearing from three different professionals is a great way for the students to get some new views and ideas to take with them. I was very proud of their performance, especially the final piece, which was a major work."