On Saturday, April 21, the Bulldog Band took 10 students to the Mid-America Music Festival on the campus of Pittsburg State University. The students have been working for the past three weeks to prepare for this festival! The students pretty much prepare their solos on their own, with guidance from Mr. White and Mrs. Sandra Stewart. We are proud of how hard they have worked, and about the amount courage it takes to stand in front of a judge and make music!

Congratulations to the students on their achievements!

2+ Rating
Joshua Haberle - French Horn

1 Rating
Connor Goatley - Clarinet
Jake Cooper - Alto Saxophone
Ryan Griffin - Trumpet
Caitlyn Burchett - Flute
Blake Carnahan - Clarinet
Libby Toliver - Clarinet
Payton Green - Alto Saxophone
Kenli Rader - Trumpet
Christopher Woody - Euphonium

The Bulldog Band went to the MSHSAA State Large Group Festival on April 6, on the campus of SBU, in Bolivar, MO.  The Band is classified as a Class 3 Ensemble.  This Festival consists of two performances.  The first performance is the Prepared performance.  This what we have worked on in class everyday since February.  We played Children of the Shrine by James Swearingen and Legend of the Ida Glenn by Ed Huckeby.  On the floor, or on stage, we received two, "Exemplary" 1 Ratings; and one, "Outstanding" 2 Rating.

The Second part of the adjudication process called "Sight Reading."  Basically, the group and director is given 6 minutes to do anything with the piece of music, EXCEPT PLAY IT, in preparation of the piece.  As long as sound doesn't come out of the instruments during this 6 minute "Teaching" period, we are good go!  The purpose of this particular part of the adjudication is to make sure that the students know who to make MUSIC, NOT just regurgitate what their directors told them to do in preparation for the stage performance.  It is stressful, but such a fun process.  In Sight Reading, the Bulldog Band received a "Outstanding" 2 Rating.

Overall the Bulldog Band received an "Exemplary" 1 Rating for the MSHSAA State Large Group Festival!  I am very proud of these kids and they have worked very hard for this rating this year!  I am looking forward to see what our band program will look like in the coming years!

Thank you all for your continued support, and GO DOGS!