NCHS Marching Band rates proficient at Madison Central

This past Saturday, Oct. 8, the students of the Nicholas County High School Marching Band traveled to Madison Central High School in Richmond, KY to compete against ten bands from around the state of Kentucky. With both performances of the day, the band received a proficient score from a panel of experienced adjudicators.

The band – under the direction of new band director Ms. Katie Safa – is performing a show entitled “The Giving Tree,” based on the famous story written by Shel Silverstein. The show includes many challenging yet effective visual and musical aspects that the band will improve throughout the course of the season. Many senior instrumentalists are featured through the various movements.

When a panel of judges evaluates a marching band in the Kentucky Music Educators Association circuit, there are four categories: Music Performance, Visual Performance, Music Effect, and Visual Effect. A marching band’s performance in these four captions determine their overall score and then placement at the competition. Percussion and Guard are also adjudicated, but their score does not affect the band’s overall score.

Usually in the earlier part of the day, bands compete in a preliminary competition, rivaling only members of their class. Nicholas County, Paris, and Beechwood High Schools all competed in Class A in the preliminary portion of the competition, and all rated proficient. Nicholas County placed third, Paris second, and Beechwood High School took first in class and percussion and guard.

All eleven bands of the five classes advanced to that night’s finals, and were pitted against each other regardless of class. Nicholas County performed under the lights of the stadium, improving their overall score by almost a point, and placing tenth above East Jessamine High School. Neighboring Bourbon County High School took home the grand championship of this competition, and Best Guard.

This week, during NCHS’s Fall Break, the marching band will spend some of its week preparing for competitions that lie ahead, and adding to and improving their 2016 field show. Following the camp, on Saturday, Oct. 15, the band will travel to Grant County High School where they will take the field at 3:15pm for the preliminary portion of the competition, and then will later perform in finals between 7:30 and 8:45.