Once again the Boardman Orchestras made history for the Boardman Orchestra program and Boardman High School by bringing home straight Superior (I) ratings for Symphony and Chamber Orchestra ensembles at the Ohio Music Education Association State Orchestra Adjudicated Event held at Granville High School this past Feb. 23.
      The 120-member Boardman Symphony Orchestra has the longest string of unbroken Superior ratings, since 1973, of any orchestra in the state of Ohio. Once again the Symphony Orchestra was awarded the Superior (I) rating this year as well. Comments from the judges included: “Very mature sounds in all sections of the orchestra. Very, very impressed with the woodwind soloists—Bravo. A truly Superior performance. Thank you for working so hard to put this program together. You should be very proud of yourselves.”, “Very musical. Excellent technique. Good individual and ensemble preparation.”, and “Excellent contrasts. A pleasure to hear! Congratulations on this fine performance. I truly enjoyed hearing you”. The orchestra performed“Farendole” by Bizet, “Overture to Orpheus in the Underworld” by Offenbach and “Danse Bacchanale” by Saint Saens.
      The 36-member Boardman Chamber Orchestra once again received a Superior (I) rating, a rating they have been awarded every time they have performed at State Contest for the past 23 years. The Chamber Orchestra performed “Choreography” by Dello Joio, “Overture to the Wind” by Moser, and “Brandenburg Concerto No.3” by Bach. Comments about the Chamber Orchestra included: “A very impressive group! Good, mature tone throughout”, and “This group is working well as a team. What a pleasure to hear you this morning. This is a very fine group with lots of talent. Continue to listen to your teachers and making great music”.
      In addition to performing at State Contests, the Boardman Orchestras traveled to the campus of Ohio State University to work with the music faculty. Boardman students also attended the Ohio State University Hockey game thanks mostly to the efforts of the Boardman Band & Orchestra Parents Association who help support the band and orchestra departments at Boardman through fund raisers, chaperones, etc. The Boardman Orchestras will be participating in the Invitational National Music Competition held in Toronto, Canada this April.
      The next regular concerts of the Boardman High School Orchestras will be on Fri., Mar. 22 at 7:00 p.m., when the Project Mayhem Rock Orchestra presents their annual concert, and on Wed., May 22 at 7:00 p.m. in the Boardman Performing Arts Center when the Symphony, Chamber and Classical Orchestras will perform their Spring Concert.