Area high school students given a chance to show fundamentals

Fine arts students from the area will participate in the Regional Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) Music Festival in Taylor Auditorium and the Fine Arts Building on April 20-22.
"It is really not a competition - it is a festival," said Carl Junction Choir Director, Anita Tally. "There is no first place, but any choir, which achieves a high standard of musical excellence, may receive a superior rating."

According to the MSHSAA Web site, the regional and state music festivals have two main purposes. The festivals hope "to provide opportunities to demonstrate before the public the best knowledge, skills, and musical repertoire taught through a particular activity" and "to evaluate the best that is taught in a school system in comparison with accepted standard of excellence."
"It is a really good way for the kids to find out what their hard work has been getting them," said Joplin High School band director, Rick Castor.

Students may participate in either instrumental or vocal categories. Divisions within those categories include solos, ensembles, and large groups.
Each entry will participate in two areas: graded music and sight-reading. The participants will perform a piece from a set of quality music literature prepared prior to the competition for the graded music portion. Then, they will be sent to the Fine Arts building for adjudicated sight-reading.
"The music festival system is designed to encourage not only exceptional musicianship, but also a respect for the arts and the discipline necessary to excel," said the MSHSAA Web site.

The two areas give the local students the opportunity to show the level of fundamental skills they have acquired.

"It's like a grade mark on how well they are doing and how well they are learning what we are trying to teach them," said Castor. "When they play well, they leave the stage feeling really great."