After months of preparation, band, orchestra, and choir are each getting the chance to perform their different programs at District Assessment. 

While each of the fine arts programs has multiple other performances throughout the year, assessment is likely the most important. The groups get to choose graded music from a preset repertoire and prepare selections to the best of their ability in order to show the skill level and abilities of the group.

“We did multiple rehearsals alongside in-class practice, and we had a pre-assessment concert to have judges check us before the proper assessment,” senior Santosh Tiruvaiyar said.

During the assessment, ensembles are judged by three directors from other Virginia high schools and given a rating of one through five, five being poor and one being superior.  Programs strive to earn superior ratings as well as other accolades and honors for their school in their assessment. 

“[Ratings mean], on a scale, how well did [musicians] handle the difficulty of music that we presented them with,” band director David Keller said. 

For the band, this assessment is doubly important since earning a rating of superior will also classify Stone Bridge as a Virginia Honor Band School. 

“To become a Virginia honor band, each school must earn a superior score on both their marching and concert band assessments,” senior Madison Cleavinger said. “In the fall, our marching band earned a superior.”

Both of Stone Bridge’s Concert Bands performed the weekend before last. The symphonic band performed on Friday, March 4, and earned an excellent rating. The wind symphony performed the day after, securing a superior rating as well as the title of VA Honor Band for Stone Bridge.

“I think that our group performed really well and genuinely had fun during the performance,” Cleavinger said. “I am proud of what we were able to accomplish, especially after the unconventional band season we had last year.”

The orchestra also has two groups being assessed: the artist level orchestra, called chamber orchestra, and the combined intermediate and advanced orchestras, also called prelude and symphonic respectively. Both ensembles were scheduled to have their assessment on March 12. However, due to the weather, the assessment was moved to a virtual setting. 

“Students were disappointed, especially initially,” orchestra director Erin Stavropulos said.  “But they handled it well and, just like we all have had to do the last couple of years, they bounced back and put their best foot forward to make it the best performance they could.” 

Despite the strange circumstances, both groups did their best and pulled off a great performance. They are anxiously awaiting their results, which could take a few weeks. 

“I’m just really proud of all of the students,” Stavropulos said. “This is my first year here at Stone Bridge, and I could not be more pleased with the level of enthusiasm that these orchestra students have to do well and to become a true orchestral community within Stone Bridge… I’m just really excited to see where they go from here.”

The last group to be assessed will be the Stone Bridge masters singers. Due to covid restrictions, the school wasn’t allowed to bring all four of its choral ensembles to district assessment. Instead, master singers, a combined group of the top two ensembles alongside singers from other ensembles, will be representing Stone Bridge at the chorus assessment. 

“It has been really wonderful to see so many of our younger students and our less experienced performers work with some of the more experienced performers, even if it’s just one day a week… and to learn… not just what chorus assessment is about, but what the Stone Bridge Choir department believes in which is to sing, to strive, to touch lives,” choir director Daniel Jackson said. 

The masters singers meet once a week on Wednesdays at 8 a.m. The group has been working hard for months now to perfect their performance and are eagerly looking forward to bringing it in front of an audience. 

“Will it be perfect? No,” Jackson said. “But could it be what I want it to be, which is something that can hopefully move people to listen and touch lives? Yes, I do think we can do that.”

Master singers performed their concert for assessment on Wednesday, March 16.

“I have little doubt that Mastersingers will get an overall superior rating,” senior Clare Burke said. “We can do this!”