MHS bands graded ‘excellent’ at festival

The Maricopa High School Band and Orchestra performed in the ABODA Area Concert Festival at Scottsdale’s Desert Mountain High School on March 1.

Both groups earned the second-highest rating of “Excellent” and will advance to the ABODA State Concert Festival in April. This is the second consecutive year both band and orchestra will be represented at the State Concert Festival. For the band, this is the first time they have qualified for the ABODA State Marching AND State Concert festivals in the same year.

The Chamber Orchestra performed “An English Folksong” Arranged by Terry McQuilkin, Viola Rondo by M.L. Daniels, and Medieval Wars by Brian Balmages. They had a great clinic working on creating musical contrast with Brian Murphy, Director of Orchestras and Assistant Director of Bands at Mesa Community College.

The Symphonic Band performed “Call to Victory” by Karl King and “Cajun Folk Songs” by Frank Ticheli. They had an awesome clinic on shaping phrases and maintaining balanced sound with ABODA Judge’s Coordinator and longtime Arizona music educator Eric Haenfler and were joined for their clinic by Brian Murphy as well.

Both clinicians were impressed with the growth in the music program at MHS.

“This great performance would not have been possible without these students stepping up to the plate in the preparation process, working independently with student leaders for much of February while I was out recovering from back surgery,” MHS Instrumental Music Director Ivan Pour said. “These young people are truly amazing, hard-working students.”

The students will perform these pieces at the MHS Festival Concert this Tuesday, March 7, at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center here at MHS. There will also be presentations from the MHS Concert Band, Intermediate Band and Percussion Ensemble. Admission is free.