On March 6 of this year, the HVHS Concert Band took on their band assessment at Blacksburg High School. This marks the final band assessment for those in Hidden Valley’s Concert Band. Other bands, such as the Jazz Band, will still be taking band assessments throughout the rest of the year. Many students in Concert Band are excited to finish off their final assessment and end the year off with a bang. Although, for many, this is a nerve-wracking time as performing in front of a crowd is not always sunshine and rainbows.

This year overall has been a bit hectic for Hidden Valley’s bands, including the Concert Band. They competed in the Celtic Classic tournament held earlier in the year which was an important event for many new band members. Following high stakes performances like this, newer members have gotten the hang of things at this point in the year, making them more prepared for this assessment. Band assessments are used to judge the skills that students have gained throughout the year, and to showcase that skill.

Many students have been affected by the band assessment, such as Cullen Burke (9). “Band assessments are used to show our skills,” says Burke. Another factor that students keep in mind going into assessments is their performance goals. Burke says, “I would like to just know the pieces well, as previously the band struggled with that.” The greater Hidden Valley High School community wishes good luck to our student musicians!