The Coronado High School Band will be competing in a Colorado Bandmasters Association Band Festival (CBA Band Festival) early this coming March. The band performs at Cheyenne Mountain High School at 8 a.m., March 5th.

Many other high schools in Colorado will send their bands to compete in the CBA festivals. The festivals include performing in front of professional judges who will give the band a score based on their playing and musicality. The scoring is based on many different categories to give a general score out of five, where one is the highest and five is the lowest. Each band is also required to watch the performance of 2 other bands before or after their performance to get a score.

Before the Coronado Band performs in front of the judges at the festival, they will perform at Mitchell High School. This performance will not be in front of judges, and is more of a “preview concert” for the families and friends of the band. This preview concert will be held on February 12 at 6 p.m.

After performing, the band will be given a “clinic” by a director who watched and listened to their performance. This clinic includes replaying sections of the pieces the band played and the director giving the band tips on their performance and what they need to work on. These clinics are very informative, and help the band become stronger and more precise. Coronado High School Junior and Band Member Inga Viada shared, “Playing at competition is beneficial to the band because it incites a greater incentive to learn the music, and grow as an ensemble.”

The band will be playing two pieces at both the preview concert and the competition. The first piece the band is playing is called “Third Suite” by Robert E. Jager. This piece is more of a March style with very difficult rhythms. The second piece is called “Variations On A Korean Folk Song,” written by John Barnes Chance, which is, as the name presents, a series of variations on Korean folk songs. Both pieces show comprehension of difficult musical skills and how well our band can perform together.

Coronado’s band has been working hard to put together the music they are working on for this competition. However,  Coronado High School Band Director Mr. Avery Payne revealed, “Playing in front of the judges is the main purpose. We can’t control anything other than how we prepare, and how we feel afterwards.” Performing in front of judges is very important for everyone involved in the CBA competitions. Playing in front of a real judge instead of playing in front of family and friends makes a big difference. It can help a performer play to the best of their abilities.

The Coronado band hopes to score a one, also known as a Superior rating at CBA this year! If you happen to know someone in the band, wish them good luck!