Note to Our Readers: The following story was sourced directly and in its entirety from Mr. Jonathan Gipson, Director of Media Relations, Magazine School District. Mr. Gipson is a RNN Sports contributor, and we thank him for bringing this story to our readers.
MAGAZINE – At the State Concert Assessment, the fortunate few bands who qualify know that their performances will be held to a much higher standard than ever before. That intense scrutiny from the judges, though, didn’t seem to faze the Magazine Rattler Band.
A little more than a month after earning a First Division Superior rating at the Western Region (Region VIII) Concert Assessment, the Rattler Band added yet another distinction to its legacy on Wednesday afternoon, earning First Division honors in the State Concert Assessment at Cabot High School.
It’s the first time the Rattler Band has achieved that prestigious rating since 2001.
Band members performing at the State Concert Assessment included junior Brock Gentry (trumpet), sophomores Briare Harding (clarinet), Kalynn Downs (tenor saxophone), Trinidy Harding (trombone) and Nat Ervin (percussion), freshmen Allie Istre (clarinet) and Isaiah Ward (clarinet), eighth graders Aiden Schmitt (clarinet) and Kauree Bennett (alto saxophone) and seventh grader Madison Kilgore (tuba).
“I am incredibly proud of this group of students,” Magazine band director Ashley Love said. “They love to perform and have put in countless hours to make their sound and style full of quality found in the best of musicians.”
At the State Concert Assessment, bands are judged on similar criteria to that of the Region Concert Assessment – tone, articulation, rhythm and tempo, precision, technique, style, balance, phrasing, expression and dynamics.
“There is an approved list of (song) titles we must choose from,” Love explained. “And, all bands must perform one march.”
The only other River Valley area bands to earn First Division honors were: the Fort Smith Southside Maverick Philharmonic Orchestra (Class 7A), Russellville and Van Buren (Class 6A), the Dardanelle Wind Ensemble (Class 5A) and Ozark (Class 4A).
PHOTO INFORMATION
The Magazine Rattler Band received First Division honors during Wednesday’s State Concert Assessment at Cabot High School in Cabot. It is the first time the Rattler Band has received the prestigious ranking since 2001. Band members are (left to right) Madison Kilgore, Trinidy Harding, Briare Harding, Brock Gentry, Isaiah Ward, Aidan Schmitt, Allie Istre, Kauree Bennett, Kalynn Downs, Nat Ervin and band director Ashley Love.
