The Eastwood High School Concert Band was one of eight Class C bands in Northwest Ohio from a field of 14 to earn a Superior I rating at the Ohio Music Education Association State Large Group Band Adjudicated Event held April 26-27 at Findlay High School.
This marks the third time in 31 years that Eastwood has earned a I rating at the state level. Eastwood qualified for state competition when they earned a Superior I rating at the district level on March 15.
The superior rating of a “I” (one) is earned for “an outstanding performance, with very few technical errors and exemplifying musical expression. This rating is reserved for the truly outstanding performance,” according to the OMEA rating description.
At OMEA State Large Group, bands perform three prepared pieces. One of the pieces must be from an OMEA list of music which determines the band’s class. A new piece must be selected from the list when advancing to the state level. Eastwood selected two new pieces this year.
The three prepared pieces are performed for a panel of three judges. Each judge rates the group from I to V with I being the best. Then the band is moved to another room for sight reading. The band is given a new piece of music. After only 4 minutes of individual study and 4 minutes of director instructions, they perform the new piece. A fourth judge assigns a rating from I to V. The four scores are averaged for a composite rating. Eastwood earned two I’s and a II on prepared pieces and a I in sight for the best rating possible of a I.
The Eastwood Band is directed by Brian Myers and Jonathan Roode.
