Community Update

Junior High Orchestras Take Top Honors at Competition



Our Jr. High Orchestra Program in Stillwater has received a great honor. All four groups from our district received 'Superior with Distiction' ratings and will perform at Orchestra Hall on March 31st.

Between Feb. 18th and March 14th, four orchestras from Stillwater Area School District participated in the MNSOTA (Minnesota String and Orchestra Teachers Association) Middle Level Orchestra Orchestra Festival. The Festival is for middle level orchestraswith students in grades 6-9. There are two components of the festival: Tier 1 and Tier 2. Tier 1 takes place at various schools throughout Minnesota in which over 40 orchestras participate in Tier 1. Each group has the opportunity to listen to other student orchestra, receive constructive feedback through written and verbal comments, a 30 minute clinic with a professional musician, and performance scores from two judges. There are five categories for scoring which begin with Fair, Good, Excellent, Superior and culminate with Superior with Distinction (the highest possible rating requiring score of at least 32 out of 35 points).

Orchestras receiving the 'Superior with Distinction' rating from both judges , are honored with the invitation to participate in Tier 2. This event is held at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis on Monday, March 31st and recognizes the high level of performance quality exhibited at Tier 1. Tier 2 activities include sectional coaching from Minnesota Orchestra members, a private rehearsal on the stage at Orchestra Hall, creating a CD available for purchase and an evening performance with trophy presentation at Orchestra Hall recognizing the excellence these groups have achieved.

This year, nine orchestras from around the state received 'Superior with Distinction' ratings and the invitation to advance to Tier 2. Of those nine orchestras, four are from the Stillwater District 834. It is quite an honor that both schools are so well represented. From Stillwater Junior Highthe Camerata and Novella orchestras under the direction of Kent Musser and from Oak-Land Junior High the Spiritoso and Scherzando orchestras under the direction of Julie Vanderstappen were invited. Please consider attending the performance at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis on March 31st, 6:30PM to celebrate the work of these fine young musicians. Tickets are available through the minnesota orchestra website at: http://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/buy/tickets/browse-calendar/eventdetail/278/-/mnsota-middle-level-...

Both junior high schools in the district have had the honor of appearing at Tier 2 for over 10 consecutive years. Many of those appearances have included multiple orchestras from both schools which is a special treat. Stillwater is indeed a musical force in the state of Minnesota.