UCMS, UCHS musicians achieve Superior ratings

In general, LGPE involves performing practiced songs before three judges and sight reading, that is, playing or singing a piece of music the performers have never seen before, typically in the form of organized notations.

In all, more than 241 students across all four classes participated in LGPE. For chorus, that meant heading down to Cumming First Methodist Church on March 4, with both high school and middle school students attending at the same time.

Middle school band students went to LGPE on March 11, while high school attended on March 12, and both traveled to Dawson County High School Performing Arts Center.

Between band and chorus, there are a few differences when it comes to approaching LGPE. For one, chorus students memorize two songs “of contrasting styles,” while band students memorize three songs.

As for the sight-reading portion, both groups get five minutes to study their given sheets, but chorus students must perform based on their individual voice type, such as soprano, alto, baritone or bass.

Of course, like the final result, preparations have their differences but are similar enough. Among the UCHS chorus, there’s a focus on foundational skills throughout the semester while students also learn to critique themselves.

“Day one of the semester, we started sight reading at the most basic level, performing rhythm exercises, scale and interval exercises while increasing the level of difficulty each week,” recalled UCHS Chorus Director Alicia Covington. “About a month before the event, I recorded class rehearsals, and the students critiqued each recording based on the judges’ score sheet to learn what they would be graded on.”

In contrast for the band, recordings and critiques happen each week, and according to UCHS Band Director Will Stafford, “It begins with a significant amount of studying the scores and careful repertoire selection to set the students up with success.”

“It takes an incredible amount of detailed work and effort on both the director’s and student’s part,” noted UCMS Band Director David Foster. “The goal of a high-achieving performance must be understood by both parties.”

And apparently, that goal was very well understood this year. Stafford said the UCHS band has earned straight Superior ratings for a full decade, and this year, all of Union County’s music students took home the best scores the school system has experienced, at least in recent memory.

“I believe this is the first time – or first time in several years – all four programs have received Superior ratings,” revealed Covington, whose own program achieved the highest scores in school chorus history.

“It feels great to have students rewarded for their hard work. They take pride in preparing for outstanding performances and have made them a tradition,” Stafford added, noting how proud he is of his students.

The sentiment is shared, too, among their middle school counterparts, with Chorus Director Melissa Pilote saying she was “proud no matter the scoring they receive,” and Foster noting “their skill levels have increased, and to see them strive to work hard each day is truly inspiring.”

For UCHS chorus and band and UCMS chorus, their endeavors were congratulated upon their triumphant return with everything from a school walkthrough to a free day in class. UCMS band, due to having another performance so soon after LGPE, is waiting until the end of the year to celebrate.

That said, from the most experienced senior to the youngest middle schooler, the students themselves recognized the passion they put into their music.

“It was definitely a bittersweet moment for me; I’ve been part of LGPE for six years,” said high school chorus senior Andrew Woodham. “However, I’m so glad that the chorus made school history; it’s the perfect way to leave a legacy for the seniors and everyone else.”

“It was fun participating for the first time and a great learning experience,” said middle school chorus member Kyla Shumaker, who eagerly anticipates experiencing LGPE again in the future.

Leah Cox, a high school senior and alto saxophonist, said that, as a musician, there’s “always something we hear that we think could have been played better,” but she had to admit that the performance went great this year.

“I love the feeling of leaving everything on the stage and earning Superior ratings, knowing I am helping carry on Union County’s decade-long legacy of excellence,” Cox said.

“It was a lot of fun to go and play with friends,” middle school band student Luke Barnett said, adding that he, too, is looking forward to participating in more LGPE competitions down the line.

It just goes to show that, through passionate teachers and their own talent, students in Union County have really learned to make their own kind of music.