MSHSAA Band Competition
By: Shayla Patrick
Updated: April 17, 2012
JOPLIN, MO - Students in high school bands, choirs, and orchestras across the state of Missouri traveled to Joplin today for their biggest competition of the year.
The Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) is holding a three day large group festival for music students.
The competition began this morning at the Taylor Performing Arts Center on the Missouri Southern State University campus, and will run through Thursday.
Each group will have a 15 minute warm up, followed by a performance. Then students will be given a sight reading of a piece they have never seen before and have to perform it in front of judges.
Dr. Jeff Macomber, Music Department Head at MSSU is the festival coordinator for this event. He says getting to perform on a professional stage in front of professional musician judges, makes this event really special for students.
"It's really an opportunity to get great feedback and encouragement to continue to seek enjoyment in music as they move forward in life," Macomber said.
The students are competing for rankings among other state musical groups. This competition is free and open to the public. For a schedule of which bands will be performing visit :
http://www.calendarwiz.com/calendars/popup.php?op=view&id=41286878&crd=mssucalendar&guid=13347252001334811540