What is MPA?
In March of every year, band students across the state prepare and perform in the North Carolina Music Performance Assessment (MPA), which is much like a performance EOG for band. During the assessment process, bands perform three prepared pieces and play one piece they have never seen before in a process called sight-reading. Four judges, called adjudicators, evaluate the student musicians and the band director as they perform and sight read, then assign a score based on how accurately and musically the group performs. The scores are then compiled and each band is assigned an overall rating of Superior, Excellent, Good, Fair, or Poor. More importantly, the rating sheet from each adjudicator is filled with helpful comments and feedback that band directors use as a resources to guide students to greater musical achievement throughout the remainder of their school musical careers.
Bands in Union County are not required to attend MPA, but Marvin Ridge Middle School Band has participated successfully in the past. We have chosen to participate in MPA because we feel that it is important to hold ourselves to a high standard of performance. Attending MPA will allow us to acquire valuable feedback from music professionals regarding our musical growth. We believe that preparing for and performing at MPA motivates student musicians to reach new levels of technical mastery on their instrument and, more importantly, deepen their understanding of what it means to contribute to a musical ensemble.
What must I do to participate?
While this event is open to all 7th & 8th grade band members, we want to put our best foot forward in order to perform at a high level. Students are selected to participate based on their playing test scores, practice habits, their attitude and effort in class, the instrumentation needs of the band, and their motivation to contribute to the band. While there is no formal audition process, students must remain in good standing throughout the coming grading periods to be eligible for participation.
Dress: “Concert Black”
Girls: Conservative long black dress or black top and black dress pants. Black dress shoes.
Boys: Black long-sleeve shirt, black dress pants, black socks, black dress shoes.
Schedule (Tentative)
Final MPA Schedules are not given to directors until late February. The final schedule for MRMS will be distributed at that time.
8:00am: Report to Band Room. Brief rehearsal
10:00am: Depart for Wingate University
(Performance time TBA)
2pm: Lunch (Carolina Place Mall, Pineville, SC)
3pm: Return to MRMS
