The Journal

Montezuma-Cortez Middle School concert and symphonic bands attended the Northwest New Mexico Music Educators Association Large Group Music Performance Assessment March 4 at the Brooks/Isham Performing Arts Center in Kirtland, New Mexico.

Each band performed three prepared songs for the judging panel. The symphonic band received superior ratings (the highest possible score) from all three judges for their prepared performance. The concert band also received a superior rating from one of the judges. The bands were also evaluated on their music literacy as they “sight-read” an unknown song without practicing it. Both bands were awarded the top rating of superior. On a scale of 10 to 100, the concert band earned a score of 92 while the symphonic band earned a score of 97 in sight-reading.

The concert band played “Manchester March” by John Edmondson, “Hymn and Folk Dance” by Sandy Feldstein and John O’Reilly, and “Theme and Variations” by Timothy Broege. The symphonic band performed “Activity March” by Harold Bennett and Larry Clark, “Korean Folk Song Medley” by James Ployhar, and “Sea Song Fantasy” by Anne McGinty.

The Montezuma-Cortez Middle School bands are directed by Andrew Campo and Alex Mohr.