Harrison’s Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Concert Band received superior ratings after delivering stellar performances in the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) District 12 Large Group Performance Evaluations (LGPE) held March 19-21 at Lassiter High School Performance Hall.
Superior ratings are the highest scores awarded at the evaluation sessions, which is the largest gathering of musicians in Cobb County. LGPE is held across three days to accommodate more than fifty high school performance ensembles.
How Does LGPE Work?
The GMEA Large Group Performance Evaluation (LGPE) is an annual assessment where bands, orchestras, and chorus groups perform prepared music in front of a panel of judges. LGPEs for orchestra and chorus groups were held earlier in the month in the Performing Arts Center at Harrison High School. Concert, symphonic, and wind ensembles performed this year at Lassiter Concert Hall at Lassiter High School. Music directors select LGPE performance music from a list of established pieces published by the GMEA. Music groups and ensembles rehearse this music and perform their submitted music sets in front of the panel and a live audience at the event.
In addition, a sight reading evaluation challenges groups to quickly learn and perform new music provided to them at the event. Music directors and performers receive the music at the start of the exercise, then the group has five minutes to read, learn, rehearse and then perform the composition. Bands are evaluated on their rehearsal approach and their performance.
Judging and Scores
A judging panel observes and scores all performances. Performing groups receive scores as follows:
- Superior (1): Outstanding performance. Worthy of distinction of being recognized as among the very best.
- Excellent (2): Unusually good performance in many respects, but not worthy of the highest rating due to minor defects. A performance of distinctive quality.
- Good (3): A good performance, but not one that is outstanding. Shows accomplishment and marked promise, but lacks one or more essential qualities.
- Fair (4): A performance that shows some obvious weaknesses, generally weak and uncertain.
- Poor (5): A performance that reveals much room for improvement. The students reveal almost a complete lack of preparedness and understanding.
