Newton Christian School students rate high at SCIBA Band Contest

The Newton Christian School Band received high ratings on Thursday, Feb. 9, when it participated in the Elementary/Junior High Solo and Ensemble Band Contest sponsored by the South Central Iowa Bandmasters Association.

PCM Middle School in Prairie City was the host school for the event. Area schools participating in the music contest were Colfax-Mingo, Newton Christian, PCM and Sacred Heart School from Des Moines.

Students were rated on accuracy of notes, rhythms, pitch, overall expression and musicianship by a certified adjudicator. Medals and comment sheets were presented to each student with ratings based on I+ (Highly Superior), I (Excellent), II (Good) and III (Fair). NCS students receiving a rating of I for a solo performance were Tyler Garton and Kalli Wood. Students receiving a rating of I+ (Highly Superior) for a solo performance were Joel Larson, Carter Lee, Duncan Lee, Mason Lee, Joseph Malsom, Sarah Urias, Erica Van Wyk and Efrain Worthington.

At the conclusion of the music contest, two NCS students were awarded the prestigious Outstanding Performance Award. This award is reserved for one or two students per contest center having performed the most outstanding performance at their center. Joel Larson, performing a trombone solo, received the Outstanding Performance Award for Center 1, and Joseph Malsom, performing a clarinet solo, received the Outstanding Performance Award for Center 3.