Two Windham Middle School musical ensembles for band and orchestra have a lot to be thankful for as each earned a superior rating from judges during the Trills & Thrills Music Festival on June 5 in Nashua, New Hampshire.
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| Windham Middle School's Band and Orchestra members gather after earning Superior ratings from Trills & Thrills Music festival judges in Nashua, New Hampshire on June 5. SUBMITTED PHOTO |
Morgan Riley, WMS Orchestra and Band Teacher, said that musical ensembles at the festival are rated on Tone Quality, Intonation, Interpretation, Technique, and Balance.
“Both the WMS Seventh and Eighth Grade Orchestra and Band earned the highest rating of Superior, Riley said. “Students were able to listen to other ensembles who attend the festival from Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and beyond.”
During the festival two judges, who are typically college music professors, listen to two pieces of music from each ensemble. The judges then provide written and audio-recorded feedback.
According to Riley, WMS students took way several things from this trip such as constructive criticism to help them improve, received positive feedback about their strengths, and a sense of accomplishment when they received their rating from the judges. The feedback from judges included techniques for improvement as ensembles and listening to other musicians.
“We have participated in festivals similar to this annually as a school for many, many years,” said Morgan Riley, WMS band and orchestra teacher. “The oldest plaque we have is from the 1990s.”
Riley said students started rehearsing festival pieces in January.
“We have been working on the basics, notes, rhythms and articulations, and are now getting to the details of dynamics and the other parts,” she said. “These students are incredibly hard-working and show perseverance in every class.”
According to Riley, the festival creates an environment where students feel comfortable and free to express themselves. Participating in festivals like this one can help make performers work harder when engaging and pushing to create the best of their performances, she said.
In all about 50 WMS students, including all the orchestra and band members, were able to participate in the festival trip.
Riley has taught in Windham and Raymond schools for 18 years. She has been an instructor for band, orchestra, chorus, and guitar to students at Jordan-Small Middle School, at Windham Middle School, and for Manchester School in her career with RSU 14.
“We would like to thank our supporters who purchased items at last fall's Mattress Fundraiser. Without those funds, we couldn't have attended the festival,” Riley said. <
“Both the WMS Seventh and Eighth Grade Orchestra and Band earned the highest rating of Superior, Riley said. “Students were able to listen to other ensembles who attend the festival from Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and beyond.”
During the festival two judges, who are typically college music professors, listen to two pieces of music from each ensemble. The judges then provide written and audio-recorded feedback.
According to Riley, WMS students took way several things from this trip such as constructive criticism to help them improve, received positive feedback about their strengths, and a sense of accomplishment when they received their rating from the judges. The feedback from judges included techniques for improvement as ensembles and listening to other musicians.
“We have participated in festivals similar to this annually as a school for many, many years,” said Morgan Riley, WMS band and orchestra teacher. “The oldest plaque we have is from the 1990s.”
Riley said students started rehearsing festival pieces in January.
“We have been working on the basics, notes, rhythms and articulations, and are now getting to the details of dynamics and the other parts,” she said. “These students are incredibly hard-working and show perseverance in every class.”
According to Riley, the festival creates an environment where students feel comfortable and free to express themselves. Participating in festivals like this one can help make performers work harder when engaging and pushing to create the best of their performances, she said.
In all about 50 WMS students, including all the orchestra and band members, were able to participate in the festival trip.
Riley has taught in Windham and Raymond schools for 18 years. She has been an instructor for band, orchestra, chorus, and guitar to students at Jordan-Small Middle School, at Windham Middle School, and for Manchester School in her career with RSU 14.
“We would like to thank our supporters who purchased items at last fall's Mattress Fundraiser. Without those funds, we couldn't have attended the festival,” Riley said. <
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