Amy Higgins

March 8, 2010 -- After an outstanding performance and earning the highest possible score at the Ohio Music Education Association’s (OMEA) District Band and Choir Contest, held March 5-6, the Elyria High School Varsity Band is headed to the OMEA state competition on April 24, 2010.

The Elyria High School band hasn’t competed in the state finals since 1998 and has never won the competition. Band Director, John Shepka, says it was dedication, determination and hard work that made moving onto the next round possible. “We worked and worked to do everything necessary to prepare and when it was time to perform, the band’s precision was on, and the balance and dynamics were happening. I felt confident in our performance but the scoring was left up to the judges.”

The panel of adjudicators apparently agreed with Shepka’s assessment, giving the band a Rating I --the highest score of a Five Rating Plan -- for an “outstanding performance with few technical errors and exemplifying a truly musical expression.”

The OMEA district competition also invites high school choral groups to compete and Elyria High singers took top honors, as well. The EHS A Cappella Choir, directed by Dr. Mark Jessie, earned a Rating I for “outstanding performance”, and the Freshman Choir Concert, also directed by Jessie, earned Rating II. The EHS Treble Singers and A Capella Choir Women earned a Rating II and were directed by Sarah Miller, EHS music teacher.

All told, 47 bands and 46 choirs competed in the OMEA District Contest, March 5-6.

Congratulations, Pioneers, for an excellent performance!

2/20	President's Day
2/21	MARDI GRAS - FAT TUESDAY
3/29	End of 3rd Grading Period
3/30	Inservice/Records Day
4/5	Conference Make-up Day
4/6	Spring Break Begins
4/16	Spring Break Ends