Boardman orchestras earn superior ratings

The Boardman orchestras made history by bringing home Superior ratings for all three participating ensembles at the Ohio Music Education Association State Orchestra Adjudicated Event at Granville High School Feb. 26.

The 120-member Boardman Symphony Orchestra has the longest string of unbroken Superior ratings, since 1973, of any orchestra in the state of Ohio.

The 50-member Boardman Classical Orchestra received its fourth-ever Superior rating at state contests as well. This group performed “Elegy and Dance” by Meyer, “Antique Dances and Airs” by Respighi, and “Dance Infernale” by Del Borgo.

The 41-member Boardman Chamber Orchestra once again received a Superior rating, a rating they have been awarded every time at state contests for the past 20 years. The group performed “Suite for Orchestra” by Janasek, “Ase’s Death” by Grieg, and “Simple Symphony” by Britten.

In addition to performing at state contests, the three Boardman orchestras traveled to Ohio State University to work with the music faculty.

Several orchestra students completed scholarship auditions and admissions testing for entrance into the conservatory.

Boardman students also attended the Ohio State hockey game, thanks mostly to the efforts of the Boardman Band and Orchestra Parents Association, who help support the band and orchestra departments through fundraisers, chaperones and more.

The Boardman orchestras will participate in the Invitational National Music Competition in Gatlinburg, Tenn., in April.

The next regular concerts of the Boardman High School orchestras will be March 23 when the Project Mayhem Rock Orchestra presents its annual concert. On May 25 at 7 p.m., the Symphony, Chamber and Classical orchestras will perform a spring concert in the Boardman Performing Arts Center.