Boardman orchestras earn Superior ratings

Staff report

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The Boardman orchestras made history, bringing home straight Superior (I) ratings for Symphony and Chamber Orchestra ensembles at the Ohio Music Education Association State Orchestra Adjudicated Event that took place at Granville High School.

The 120-member Boardman Symphony Orchestra has the longest string of unbroken Superior ratings, since 1973, of any orchestra in Ohio. The Symphony Orchestra was awarded the Superior rating this year as well.

Comments from the judges included: “Very mature sounds in all sections of the orchestra. Very, very impressed with the woodwind soloists — Bravo. A truly Superior performance. Thank you for working so hard to put this program together. You should be very proud of yourselves.” ... “Very musical. Excellent technique. Good individual and ensemble preparation.” ... “Excellent contrasts. A pleasure to hear! Congratulations on this fine performance. I truly enjoyed hearing you.”

The orchestra performed “Farendole” by Bizet, “Overture to Orpheus in the Underworld” by Offenbach and “Danse Bacchanale” by Saint Saens.

The 36-member Boardman Chamber Orchestra once again received a Superior rating, a rating they have been awarded every time they have performed at the state contest for the past 23 years. The Chamber Orchestra performed “Choreography” by Dello Joio, “Overture to the Wind” by Moser and “Brandenburg Concerto No. 3” by Bach.

Comments about the Chamber Orchestra included: “A very impressive group! Good, mature tone throughout.” ... “This group is working well as a team. What a pleasure to hear you this morning. This is a VERY fine group with lots of talent. Continue to listen to your teachers and making GREAT music.”

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

Boardman students also attended an Ohio State University hockey game, thanks mostly to the efforts of the Boardman Band & Orchestra Parents Association, which supports the band and orchestra departments through fundraisers, chaperones, etc. The Boardman orchestras will be participating in the Invitational National Music Competition in Toronto, Canada, this April.

The next regular concerts of the Boardman High School orchestras will be at 7 p.m. Friday when the Project Mayhem Rock Orchestra presents its annual concert, and at 7 p.m. May 22 in the Boardman Performing Arts Center when the Symphony, Chamber and Classical orchestras will perform their spring concert.