MCHS spring symphonic band drawing attention

The Madison County Band won a national title in the fall. And the school’s spring symphonic band is picking up noteworthy accolades, too.

The symphonic band participated in the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) large group performance evaluation March 15 in Hart County, earning the top “superior” ratings from three judges, while performing “level 6” material, the most difficult rating. The band also received an “excellent” rating for sight reading — participants are given sheet music and required to play the unfamiliar material as smoothly as possible.

Madison County band director Nick Golding said he’s proud of the symphonic band. He noted that of the 66 members, 70 percent of them are freshmen or sophomores.

Golding said that of the 47 bands that performed at the GMEA event, only three played “level 6” material. And the two other bands that performed at that level were primarily composed of seniors.

“They are doing great,” said Golding. “For such a young group of students to be able to perform at that level is pretty rare.”

The MCHS symphonic band traveled to Kennesaw State University Saturday to take part in a concert band invitational with symphonic bands from around the state.