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North Lamar High School Symphonic Band, directed by Randy Jones, has been selected as a National Winner in the Mark of Excellence / National Wind Band Honors project by The Foundation for Music Education and its Board of Trustees in Class AAAA. And the North Lamar High School Concert Band, directed by Jason R. Smith was selected as a Commended Winner in the Citation of Excellence / National Wind Band Honors project by The Foundation for Music Education and its Board of Trustees in Class AAAAA.
The Mark of Excellence and Citation of Excellence project seeks to recognize and award outstanding achievement in performance by high school varsity (Mark of Excellence Award) and non-varsity bands (Citation of Excellence). The project gathers entries from throughout the United States and provides valuable feedback for all entrants. A unique competitive environment is created which allows ensembles to compare their performance quality to other outstanding groups from across the country. The top 25% of entrants are recognized as National Winners, with the second 25% named as Commended Winners. All entrants receive a compilation recording of the winning performances. Winners are recognized in regional and/or national publications and at national and regional conventions. It is hoped the adjudicator critiques and the compilation recordings will prove helpful in improving performances and will spread knowledge of quality literature. The Mark of Excellence Foundation consists of the National Wind Band Honors, National Choral Honors, National Orchestra Honors, National Jazz Honors, and National Percussion Ensemble Honors. This year 178 of the finest musical ensembles in the nation entered the competition. The project has now received entries from thirty-five states.
The band adjudicators for the project were: Eugene Migliaro Corporon, conductor of the Wind Symphony and Regents Professor of Music at the University of North Texas; Thomas Fraschillo conductor of the Wind Symphony at the University of Southern Mississippi; Mark Camphouse conductor of the Wind Symphony at George Mason University; and Gary Speck Director of Bands at Miami University.
As Class AAAA National Winner, the North Lamar Symphonic Band will receive recorded and written comments from the adjudicators and a compilation CD of the performances of the winners. And as a Class AAAAA Commended Winner, the North Lamar Concert Band will receive recorded and written comments from the adjudicators and a compilation CD of the performances of the winners.
“The North Lamar High School Band is a wonderful example of musical achievement and a credit to your school district,” said Dick Clardy, Executive Director of The Foundation for Music Education. “Congratulations to the directors and to all involved!”