Parents,
Every March middle school band students across the state prepare for and perform in the South Carolina Concert Performance Assessment (CPA), which is much like a performance EOC/benchmark for band. During the assessment process, bands perform three prepared pieces and play one piece they have never seen before, a process called sight reading. Five 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 students and band director perform. 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 resource to guide students to greater musical achievement throughout the remainder of the year.
Bands in York County are not required to attend CPA, but Clover Middle School bands have been attending for the past several years. We choose to participate in CPA because we feel that it is important to hold ourselves to a high standard of performance. Attending CPA allows us to acquire valuable feedback from music professionals regarding our musical growth. We believe that preparing for and performing at CPA motivates student musicians to reach new levels of technical mastery on their instrument and, more importantly, deepen their understanding of what it truly means to be a contributing part of a musical ensemble. The Clover Middle School band program has been performing at a very high level at CPA for the past several years, thanks to the hard work and dedication of our young musicians and their parents.
Music for CPA has been distributed in class, students are expected to practice the material at home on a DAILY basis. Consistency is extremely important in the CPA preparation process. Recordings of our CPA pieces are available on the Clover Middle School website and students are encouraged to listen to them as part of their practice routine. Students will be tested on all three pieces on a regular basis between now and our CPA performance in March to ensure that everyone is well prepared. Playing at CPA is an honor and a very big responsibility for student musicians.
Typically, there is a need to schedule rehearsals OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL HOURS so that every student receives the support and coaching they need to adequately prepare together for this event.
Mandatory Rehearsals:
· February 17th 3:15pm-5:30pm
· March 3rd 3:15pm-5:30pm
· March 18th 3:15pm-5:30pm
· Mandatory Performances:
· Pre-Festival Concert at Clover School District Auditorium March 2022 (Date and Times TBA)
· CPA Performance March 22ndor March 23rd at Southwood Academy of the Arts in Anderson SC (Date and Times TBA)
This year at Clover Middle School our 8th grade symphonic band students will perform at CPA. All 8th grade students selected are required to be at the three mandatory rehearsals and two mandatory performances. All mandatory rehearsals and performances will be graded.
Students will be expected to perform in concert black attire for the events. All students are expected to know their music for the event. Please know students will not go to the CPA events if they do not know their music or showcase poor behavior at CMS.
Times for CPA will most likely be during the school day. Students will be taking a bus to the events. Once times are finalized by the site host, information will go out to the students. Parents can attend the CPA events at Southwood Academy of the Arts and the CSDA to watch the performances in the auditorium.
Thank you for your continued support of the CMS band program. If you have any questions please email Mr. Gibson.
Nicholas Gibson
Director of Bands
Clover Middle School
803-810-8349
