Paint Branch’s music program had a chance to shine during the month of March as each group – string orchestra, concert band, symphonic band, and chorus – competed in Maryland’s District 2 Festivals.
The Maryland District 2 Choral Festival on Wednesday, March 7th at Watkins Mill High School saw PB’s strong choral program perform grade IV music which, according to Choral Director Mrs. Mitchell, translates to “Very Difficult.”

In terms of performance, Mrs. Mitchell noted that she is “very proud to report that the Paint Branch Chorus received a perfect score at the festival earning a 1 [the highest score possible] from each of the 4 judges.”She also noted that some of the judge’s comments included, “very inspired performance;” “Excellent dedication from every member of the ensemble;” “The interpretation for each of the 3 unique selections matched the style of each piece brilliantly;” and Very professional on stage.”
On Thursday March 8, the annual Maryland District 2 String Orchestra Festival took place at John F. Kennedy High School, where a panel of three judges graded PB’s orchestra as well as other high school orchestras from across the county. Every year participants are graded by the judges on multiple categories.

As instrumental students, some of the skills being worked on and judged are: intonation, dynamics, tone, rhythm, performing instrument-specific technique builders, ensemble sound and balance, and sightreading. The highest score is a 1 and the lowest score is a 5, though fives are rarely assigned.
This year the Concert Orchestra scored an overall excellent, which includes strait 2s for the stage performance and another 2 for sight reading. Sight Reading is when everyone in the orchestra, including the conductor, is given a new piece of music we have never seen before and have to play it to the best or our ability with the skills we have.

The final groups to perform were concert band and symphonic band, which took place at Montgomery Blair high school on Tuesday, March 13th. Where Concert Band were also judged by a panel of 3 judges on their intonation, dynamics, tone, rhythm, performing instrument-specific technique builders, ensemble sound and balance. On their stage performances they received three 1s and one 2 for their sight reading. This translates to an overall superior, which is the highest grade averaging out all the scores.

For Symphonic Band’s performances they received an accumulative excellent for their stage execution grade of three 2s and their sightreader grade of a 3. As some encouragement for all the performances of string orchestra, symphonic, and concert band Mr. Casement remarked, “They all did a fantastic job. All of their performances on stage were the best they’ve had all year.”