By Jessica Hoerter
Last week, on Wednesday and Thursday, the Marion Senior High School (MSHS) band, Chilhowie High School (CHS) band, and Marion Middle School (MMS) band demonstrated their musical excellence at the District VII Concert Band Assessment held at Virginia High School. Their performances set a benchmark for future assessments.
Mr. Holmes, who directs the MSHS and MMS bands, elaborated on the Virginia Band and Orchestra Director’s Association (VBODA) District VII Concert Assessment. Holmes explained that it is an event where bands perform for judges and receive ratings based on their performance quality, ranging from Superior to Poor. This event spans various districts all over Virginia, but District VII schools are located in Southwest Virginia.
On Wednesday, Marion Middle School Band performed and marked the first time it has competed in the assessment. The band is comprised of seventh- and eighth-graders from MMS, and it earned an Excellent rating, the second-highest rating, and a commendable achievement for its debut.
Mr. Holmes praised the middle schoolers’ professionalism and dedication throughout the preparation, acknowledging their pivotal role in delivering a stellar performance.
Holmes stated, “The middle schoolers’ professionalism during the preparation process has been incredible to watch. They truly stepped up to make it a great performance.”
Meanwhile, the high school bands traveled on Thursday to do their assessments. The Marion Senior High School Band returned for the second year, presenting outstanding performances with more challenging musical selections. The MSHS Band achieved all Superior ratings, the highest accolade at the Concert Assessment.
Mr. Holmes lauded the high school band’s unwavering work ethic, enthusiastic approach to challenges, and expressed his anticipation for their future endeavors.
Mr. Holmes stated, “The high school band has an unstoppable work ethic. They tackle every challenge I give them with enthusiasm. They are an absolute pleasure to work with, and I am excited to see what the future holds for them.”
Chilhowie High School Band also performed on Thursday with an outstanding performance. The CHS band received an overall score of Excellent, the second-highest rating. According to Chilhowie’s band director, Seth Boyd, the score reflects improvement from the prior year. Boyd’s pride in the score reflected their hard work and dedication.
The accomplishments of the Smyth County bands underscore the dedication of the students to the arts. Under the guidance provided by Mr. Holmes, the Marion Senior High School and Marion Middle School bands have thrived. Music is also growing at Chilhowie High School under Mr. Boyd. The numbers for both bands continue to climb, and the arts are thriving. With a commitment to honing their musical talents and fostering their passion for music, Smyth County school bands are poised for further advancement, leaving a lasting impact on music in Southwest Virginia schools.
