COUGAR PRIDE Around Campus
Friday, March 28, 2025
Page 10
Courtesy Photos
Members of the Cougar Band take a break after their assessment performance recently in Bristol.
Band Receives Flying Colors at Assessment By HAILEY GARLICK AND RYAN MANN Cougar Growl Staff
On March 12, the Pulaski County High School Band re- ceived full marks at the Concert Assessment in Bristol. The Con- cert and Symphonic bands, led by PCHS Band Director Mr. Kevin Faller, came together to perform for a board of judges at Virginia High School. “Assessment is where we take music that is taken from the Virginia Band Orchestra Direc- tors Association graded music list and we take it to a site that’s hosted by the district you are in,” Kevin Faller said. “With us being in District 7, when we get there we will perform onstage for a panel of three judges, and the three judges will grade us based on a rubric that has many cat- egories, like rhythm, tone qual- ity, preparation, and ensemble presence. From that rubric,we’ll get an overall rating between 1, which is superior, and all the way down to 5 which is poor. After that, we went to a sight reading room where we sight read and got scored on that. We get seven minutes to study a piece that we have never seen before, and then we play the piece for one judge who grades us on a similar rubric to the stage performance. The rating is also between 1 and 5. And then those four judges get the average score and that’s our final rating.” Faller has been attending as- sessment with the high school band for four years. He says he tries to focus more on the jour- ney and the learning process rather than scoring for assess-
Courtesy Photos Mr. Kevin Faller (above left) is the Director of PCHS Bands. Senior Ria Eubanks (above center), senior Mikayla Draper (above right), and sophomore Devin Draper (bottom right) were all very happy with the results of the recent band assessment.
ment. He loves to see and help the band grow throughout, no matter what scoring they get. He was very excited about the as- sessment this year, feeling more confident than ever. He shows that he cares for his students and cares for their personal learning and growth instead of expect- ing perfection out of them. He loves going to assessments to get personal feedback on how to im- prove the band and how to help them. Our Marching Drum Major, Ria Eubanks says that she is most excited to play “Be Thou My Vi- sion” by Travis J. Cross. Her main instrument is the French horn, but she can play some saxophone, tenor, trumpet, and mellophone as well. She has been in the band for six years. “I’m excited to play and I love the people,” she said. They are amazing and fun.” This is her third year doing an assessment. She is excited to play and do her best!
Another member of the band, Mikayla Draper is most excited to be playing “Ruckus” by Ran- dall Standridge for assessment. She is a senior who plays the flute. She also knows how to play the piano as well. She has been in the band for the past four years but this is her first time going to the bands assessment. “I’m pretty nervous, but also kinda sad since it’ll be my last as- sessment,” she said. She also has a brother named Devin, who is also in the band. She is incredibly excited to play and help represent the school band! One more member of the band, Devin Draper, is also most excited to play “Ruckus” by Randall Standridge. He is a sophomore who has been in the band for three years. He is a trombone player who also knows how to play the piano. He says he is nervous about assessment. Devin and Mikayla are brother and sister. He is excited to play in the band for assessment and the
concert coming up!
After finishing their perfor- mance, the Bands were informed of their scoring. Much to their elation, they received a ‘Superior’ rating–a level on par with much larger high schools in the state. After returning their equipment to the Marching Band Trailer, and a much-needed bathroom break, the bands celebrated in the school’s parking lot. As of March 13, the bands are preparing for their second and final concert in May. This concert will last substantially longer, con- sisting of eight songs in total. All are invited to attend, dates will be announced later by Mr. Faller.
Good luck to all of our SkillsUSA students who are heading to the State Competition Friday, April 4!
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