The music department is preparing for its Music Performance Assessments in the coming weeks. Jazz band MPAs were Feb. 15 at Bayside High School, Orchestra MPAs will be March 4 at Heritage High School, chorus MPAs will be March 6 at Eau Gallie High School, and concert band MPAs will be March 13 at Bayside High School.

“I think that we’re definitely more prepared than last year, but we will see if we’ve done enough preparation to get a superior,” band director Justin Snively said. “I think that there’s definitely still some questions posed in the music, like some spots that the students are unsure about, but they’ve definitely made a lot of progress so far in the last couple of weeks.”

MPAs are an annual event where music groups from around the state play three music pieces in front of a panel of judges and get rated Superior, Excellent, Good, Fair or Poor.

“This is my first MPA as a teacher, so there’s obviously some restlessness,” chorus director Kristen Ross said. “I’m pretty nervous, but I really feel like the kids are going to show up and it’s going to be a really awesome time. And yes, I want to do well. Yes, I want straight Superiors. That is my standard. But honestly, I really just want the kids to get a really good experience. I also want them to inspire people through singing and through music because that’s super-important too.”

Freshman and chorus board member Aiden Bausum said he feels confident going into MPAs. 

“Personally, I feel I’m gonna do pretty good,” he said. “I need to work on one of my songs. I’ve been working on it with Ms. Ross for a few weeks now. I think my section, the baritones, [are] going to shine, especially the back with the dream team, [which is] what we call ourselves. I think if anything, I’m gonna mess up on my pitch for sight reading because I can do it, [but] just singing on the same pitch over and over again gets difficult.”

Last year, Middle School Chorus and Chamber Choir received a Good rating, which Ross hopes won’t happen again.

“I think that I’ve prepared them. and we’re still in the process of being prepared and stuff like that,” Ross said. “But you know what? It really comes down to if they want it or not, if they want to be superior, if they want to be excellent, if they want to be good, that’s really up to them. And there’s a certain point where I can’t do any more. I can’t want it for you. But I really think it’s going to be a great experience. I don’t think we’re going to get Good this year.”

By Daniel Mirell