The Cortez Middle School seventh- and eighth-grade bands received superior ratings at the Northwest New Mexico Music Educators Associate Large Group Evaluation.

The evaluation was held at the Brooks/Isham Performing Arts Center in Kirtland on March 6.

The CMS bands are directed by Andrew Campo and Alex Mohr.

According Campo, on a scale of 100 points, both bands received an average score of 96 from a panel of three judges.

Campo also wrote in an email to The Journal that the bands were evaluated on their music literacy as they “sight-read” an unknown song without practicing it and were awarded with top ratings of “Superior.”

The seventh-grade band played “Yorktown March” by John Edmondson, “Theme and Variations” by Timothy Broege and “Celtic Air and Dance” by Michael Sweeney.

The eighth-grade band performed Activity March by Harold Bennett and Larry Clark, Sea Song Fantasy by Anne McGinty and Eagle Mountain Overture by Robert Sheldon, according to Campo.

“Cortez Middle School band members made their school and community proud with their performances, professionalism and dedication,” Campo wrote in an email to The Journal.