Conway High School band earns
‘exemplary’ rating at state competition
The Conway band performs at the MSHSAA state music festival on March 4. After their stage performance, the band engaging in sight-reading and playing a piece for the second stage of the competition, i.e. seeing the piece of music for the first time and then performing it after six minutes of preparation, according to Caroline Parker.
Photo courtesy of Caroline Parker, Conway band director.
Posted
JACK SILBERBERG • REPORTER@LACLEDERECORD.COM
For the first time in 25 years, the Conway Band program has earned an “Exemplary” or “1” rating at the MSHAA state musical festival on March 4, reported Director Caroline Parker. This rating is the highest a band can receive at the competition.
“That was just an extra bonus for us to get that together and to make history together,” Parker said of the rating, pleased with the group’s performance. She later said that the competition is against the band itself rather than against other bands.
The competition consists of two elements: the band’s stage performance and a sight-reading portion. For the stage performance, bands must perform two contrasting pieces before three judges. In the sight-reading portion, performers and director alike study a piece for the first time before performing it in six minutes.
Practice for the competition began after Christmas break, with Parker adding that snow days presented unforeseen challenges to their preparation but that the band put forth the effort on the days that school was in session.
With this being her first school year teaching band at Conway, Parker had been focused on cultivating a positive culture within her group and adjusting it to a new director. Going into the competition, she knew the band was in a good position musically.
At first, Parker said, the students did not realize the significance of the rating they earned. Debriefing with the students later with their scores and a comparison of the plaques they had earned in 2000 and 2025 respectively added to their excitement.
Parker hoped the band’s rating would be a confidence boost for her students, saying that the closeness the rating had brought the group was worth more than the score.
“This is just the beginning. We’re growing and learning, and I’m just so proud of them,” Parker said.
The Conway High School Band will perform their competition pieces, “Abbington Ridge” and “Ballad Air,” in a joint concert with the rest of the band program and choir program March 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the high school gym.
