Sisters High School band tops Northwest contest

The Sisters High School Concert Band earned highest score at the 2011 Northwest Invitational Concert Band Contest, held at Clackamas College on March 8.

The group was the first of the day to perform, attending only half the event, hearing just several of the other 12 bands participating. Upon departing, the Sisters band received their performance scores and adjudication feedback.

While the scores included many compliments, only one of the three judges issued marks high enough to advance to the state band contest in May. While band members were confident in having performed their best, they were also somewhat disappointed. By OSAA regulation, to advance to the state level bands must earn qualifying scores from at least two judges.

The Northwest Invitational, the earliest state qualifying opportunity available, employs some of the most qualified adjudicators available, and fits the Sisters band calendar very well. While judges strive to remain unbiased and consistent in their adjudication throughout the year, these earlier events tend to present more critical scoring. Adjudicators commonly assume bands will use such feedback to help them prepare for additional state qualifying opportunities they'll have at later dates.

This perspective left the Sisters group optimistic for their scheduled performance at a local band festival on April 12 in Redmond.

The following day however, the Sisters group received much more optimistic news about their performance in Clackamas. The band was informed they received first place at this year's Northwest contest, earning the highest score in not only the small schools division, but the highest overall score of the event.

Sisters was also the only band to receive even one single state qualifying score from the judging panel the entire day. The Sisters band students remain focused on maintaining and improving their festival performance set for their upcoming performance in

Redmond.