Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, May 05, 2011

The Mount Ayr Community middle school concert band earned a I-rating at the Red Oak middle school Richard Simpson large group festival held on Saturday, April 30. The students performed Canticum by James Curnow and "Blessings of Liberty March" by Ken Harris.

"The middle school band students were very impressive Saturday," said director Greg STORHOFF. "Earning a I rating is an extremely difficult thing to do, as the middle school band has earned just four I ratings in the last fourteen years. This rating at this festival is quite a significant achievement."

The band scored very high on playing in tune, dynamics and tone quality. The students' stage presence scored particularly high, as all three judges were impressed by the students' professionalism.

"These middle school kids have been working very hard this year. I haven't directed middle school bands for several years, so when the fall started I was concerned about how the year would go. Fortunately, these kids were unbelievable and have been a lot of fun to direct. From the talent and excitement of this group, I can see great things in the future for the band program at Mount Ayr Community," said STORHOFF.

Members of the award winning middle school band include: Wyatt MATNEY, Alex YOUNG, Laneesa BRAND, Miranda WAUGH, Maggi BJUSTROM, Bailey Webb, Grant STAATS, Lincoln LUTRICK, Trevor ANDERSON, Nick WURSTER, Samantha CRAWFORD, Blake ROBERTS, Wyatt JACKSON, Jed McCREARY, Keigan ARMSTRONG, Jay BLAIR, Nathan ROBERTS, Lew KNAPP, Cameron YOUNG, and Quintin CHUMBLEY.

The next performance for the middle school band will be at Adventureland in Des Moines on Monday, May 23.

  Photograph courtesy of Mount Ayr Record-News

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2011