The Lake Oconee Academy Symphonic Band recently traveled to Burke County High School in Waynesboro, GA for the annual state evaluations.

The symphonic band is comprised of high school students in 9th to 12th grade, alongside advanced middle school students in 7th and 8th grade. Led by Band Director Courtney Pilgrim, these students have been diligently preparing for evaluations since January 2024.

During the evaluation, instructors receive a selection of music from the state, covering various musical styles. The evaluation consists of three pieces: a march, featuring "Gallant Marines" by Karl Kind, a ballad, showcasing "By Dawn’s Early Light" by David Shaffer, and the finale, referred to as the “kitchen sink,” which incorporates fast-paced and rhythmic melodies for an exhilarating conclusion. For this piece, they've chosen "Prelude and Firestorm" by Roland Barrett.

Performing on stage in front of three judges and an audience, the musicians are judged on several aspects for each of their scores. The first being technical accuracy which includes articulation, correct notes, note volume and rhythm. Second is flexibility, which is the balance of sound, tone, and response to the director. Then their musical effect, which is their confidence, fluency, intonation, and tone. Lastly, they are judged on their overall musical content.

While Mrs. Pilgrim says both parts of the evaluation are challenging, she believes that the sight-reading portion really showcases what the students have learned and demonstrates their overall musical knowledge. Students are given 6 minutes to silently study the music and then perform it one time for judging.

After much hard work and dedication, the Lake Oconee Academy Symphonic Band brought home the distinction of receiving superior ratings in both the stage performance and in their Sight-Reading room. This is the highest level that can be received at the state level. “I couldn’t be more proud of this group of students. They really pushed their musical maturity and ability with this performance. They truly knocked it out of the park,” says Mrs. Pilgrim.