The Maricopa High School Chamber Orchestra earned an “Excellent” rating Friday during the Arizona Band and Orchestra Directors Association Area Concert Festival at McClintock High School in Tempe.

It is the second-highest rating and qualifies the orchestra to participate in the State Concert Festival in May.

The musicians also participated in a clinic with retired U.S. Army Col. Frank Dubuy, who has been the director of the U.S. Army Chorus and Chorale, the U.S. Army Field Band Soldier’s Chorus and the director of the U.S .Army Military Academy Band at West Point. He also has served as director of bands and coordinator of instrumental music at Southeast Louisiana University in addition to teaching in at Hamilton High School in Chandler.

The May appearance will be the orchestra’s second consecutive visit to the state festival.