The Pulaski County High School Wind Ensemble, a part of the PCHS Band Program, recently had a chance to perform in front of a group of judges to evaluate their skills in several areas. After a lengthy postponement brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, this was a first-time experience for most of the current band members.
“This was our first live assessment in over two years,” PCHS Director of Bands Kevin Faller said. “Three-quarters of our group have never experienced an assessment before. I am extremely proud of the progress they have made this year and look forward to the years ahead.”
The event the Wind Ensemble took part in was the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association (VBODA) Concert Assessment, which took place Wednesday, March 9. The PCHS Wind Ensemble includes members of the second semester Symphonic and Concert Band classes.
Pulaski County competes as a part of District 7, which includes the cities of Bristol, Fries, Galax and Norton, along with the counties of Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Dickenson, Giles, Grayson, Lee, Pulaski, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise and Wythe. District 7 members are also a part of the South-Central Region, with members of Districts 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 13.
To participate in the assessment, the PCHS group had to choose music from a graded list of music ranging from 0.5, which is the easiest, to VI, which is the most difficult.
Pulaski County picked three pieces from the Grade VI list, the most difficult to perform. These pieces were "Marches des Parachutistes Belges," "Prairie Dances," and "Into the Storm."
Adjudicators for the event included a panel of four musicians and band directors from Virginia and Tennessee.
Pulaski County received a solid “Excellent” rating at the assessment, which is the second highest possible rating a group can receive.
“This is particularly impressive since two-thirds of the group have never experienced an assessment event before,” Faller said. “In addition to being evaluated on stage performance, we also were adjudicated on our ability to sight-read a piece of music. We were given seven minutes to study the music. During these seven minutes, we were allowed to talk through the music, sing, clap, or hum, but we were not allowed to play instruments. After the seven minutes were up, we had to perform the piece from beginning to end for an adjudicator for evaluation.”
At the end of the day, the Excellent rating is an indicator of good things to come for the future of the Pulaski County Band program.
“I am incredibly proud of the progress this group has made since the beginning of the semester, and look forward to the continued growth in the band program for many years to come,” Faller said.