The jazz band attended its annual Music Performance Assessment at Satellite High School on Feb. 15, receiving a rating of Excellent from all three judges.

“Jazz Band MPA went really well,” band director Justin Snively said. “We got there, we got to warm up, and the students were feeling really confident, and we even got to watch a couple of other jazz bands from other schools. Then, we performed, and the students felt really good.”

During MPA, music ensembles from around the state play three pieces in front of a panel of three judges, receiving a rating of Superior, Excellent, Good, Fair, or Poor.

“The judges said that we had a lot of energy and a lot of great musicians and to work on for next time just [refining] our tones and [picking] some music that’s going to fit our ensemble,” Snively said.

Freshman and drummer Harper Millband said he agrees with the Excellent rating awarded by the judges.

“I agree with the Excellent rating because I feel we could have had better dynamics,” he said.

Snively said that he is excited for next year’s ensemble.

“I think next year’s going to be a completely different ensemble, so we might have some younger members,” Snively said. “Right now, it’s currently mostly 11th and 12th graders, and I think next year it’ll be mostly 9th and 10th graders. So I think it will be a different group with different challenges.”

By Daniel Mirell