CCHS orchestra earns top rating at state festival

Staff report

The Charles City High School Orchestra came home with top ratings following Saturday’s performance at the Iowa High School Music Association’s Large Group Festival. Students received a Division I rating after performing 17 minutes of music for the three judges, including “Andante Festivo” by Jean Sibelius and “Folk Tune and Fiddle Dance” by Percy Fletcher. The Fletcher piece was stylistically challenging, director Nancy Wester said, and was “performed with great technique and artistic integrity.”

“The growth of the group from the beginning of the year to this final big performance has been amazing, and as their director I am so very proud of what they have accomplished,” Western said.

A performance is rated Division I when it is “outstanding in nearly every detail,” IHSMA executive director Alan Greiner said in a letter to Iowa parents.

“They are not perfect, but they should be as good as students for this particular event can perform,” Greiner wrote.

High school receive a rating on a Division I-V scale, based on musicality, practice, dedication and technique.