Vaquero Guard participates in Marching Band Music Performance Assessment

The Florida Band Masters Association and the Florida School Music Association held their District 3 Marching Band Music Performance Assessment (MPA) on Friday, Oct. 24. The Gene Cox stadium in Tallahassee was packed with friends and family of the band members along with the bands when they weren’t performing. Twelve area bands entered the event including the Madison County Vaquero Guard and the Jefferson County Mighty Tigers Marching Band. Under the direction of David Sanders, Madison’s Vaquero Guard achieved a rating of Good. Jefferson’s Mighty Tigers Marching Band, directed by Claude Graham achieved a rating of excellent. The Florida Bandmasters Association purports that music holds a unique place in human existence and touches our lives in ways that no other experience can.   The purpose of Performance Assessments is to create opportunities for students and directors to perform in an environment which provides critical evaluation of the bands skills by noted experts in the field of band performance. These experts, known as “adjudicators” from various disciplines, independently rank each band and offer their critique. Blake Monroe stated that the MPA provides an opportunity for students and directors to observe performances by their peers and learn from the adjudicators. The goal of a Superior rating is so compelling that the preparation for attaining that goal becomes the catalyst for excellent performances while supporting the school at ball games and other programs. This drive creates excellence on and off of the field!