6th grade band earns top ratings

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Albany sixth grade band, along with a few seventh graders who will move up to the high school band next year, competed in a Clyde Band Festival last week, earning three Division I ratings from the judges.

“I am really proud of this group,” band director William Vaughan said. “They took this seriously and acted very professionally during the entire trip. They were a great example for the school and their families.”

The band received three Division I ratings from the three judges, the highest that can be awarded.

The group was not competing against other bands but rather judged against a preset standard.

Albany played Pride of America by William Owens and Adrenaline Rush by Foster.

The band is hosting a local solo and ensemble contest on May 13 for all band members in grades 6-12 who did not participate in the UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest earlier in the semester.

The year will wrap up with a final concert from each band on Thursday, May 19.

The director said that awards for the year will be presented at the Academic Banquet on May 16.