AHS Bands earn 53rd and 54th superior since 1957
The Symphonic Band and Symphonic Wind Ensemble of Asheboro High School both earned 'Superior' ratings at the North Carolina Music Performance Adjudication event (formerly known as 'Contest') on March 24th at Cedar Ridge High School in Hillsborough. The 'Superior' ratings, the highest rating possible, are the 53rd and 54th such ratings for Asheboro bands since 1957.
The Symphonic Wind Ensemble received the highest rating from all four judges and was one of only five out of thirty-five bands at the Cedar Ridge location to do so. The Wind Ensemble performed at the grade 6 level (the highest level), generally considered to be college level music. Their selections included 'New Mexico March' by John Philip Sousa, 'A Movement for Rosa' by Mark Camphouse and 'Fusion' by Brian Balmages. Soloists for the Wind Ensemble included Stephanie Smith, Alexa Neithercut, Sean Howard, Jose Badillo, Jake Grey and Mykayla Wright.
The Symphonic Band performed at the grade 4 level and received an overall 'superior' rating. The band presented 'Gallant Marines' by Karl King, 'Evensong' by William Harbinson and 'Among the Clouds' by Brian Balmages as their contest selections.
The Asheboro Concert Bands have received more 'Superior' ratings than any other band program in North Carolina since the concert band festivals began, including an unbroken string from 1957-1985 during the tenures of Joseph B. Fields, Jim Graeber and Steve Bingham. Suzanne Benhart and Phil Homiller are the current directors of the AHS bands.
The community will have several opportunities in the next two months to hear the musicians of the AHS band program at the Asheboro High School Performing Arts center. The percussion ensembles will present a concert on April 7th at 7:30 pm. Chamber ensembles and soloists will perform at 7:30 on May 12th and the Jazz Ensembles of AHS and both middle schools will perform on May 24th at 7:30 pm. The year-end Spring Band Concert, featuring both the Symphonic Band and the Symphonic Wind Ensemble will be presented on May 26th at 7:30. All performances are free and open to the public.