Bands Earn Superior Rating at State

The Raymore-Peculiar High School Concert and Symphonic Bands both earned the highest rating of Superior at the MSHSAA State Music Festival Thursday night. Each band performed high quality literature for three judges who each give their own rating. Both bands earned a solid Superior rating from each of these judges. The bands also perform never-before-seen music for a fourth judge in the sight-reading room. The bands are given six minutes to look over the music without playing a note and then perform the entire piece of music. Symphonic Band earned a Superior rating in this portion as well.  The four judge's ratings are combined to make one overall rating for each group.

While the Symphonic Band has consistently earned Superior ratings for many years, this is only the second time in Ray-Pec history for the Concert Band to earn this achievement. "I'm really proud of what the Concert Band has accomplished this year. Besides earning a Superior rating, they are performing at a higher level than they ever have before. The growth of our program is not only in numbers, but in quality, too," said Assistant Band Director Dillon Jarrett.

The Symphonic Band is under the direction of John Wilson, Director of Bands. The Concert Band is under the direction of Assistant Directors Jennifer Gibson and Dillon Jarrett. The Bands are also assisted by Linda Pierson and student teacher Nathaniel Orr.