For the 26th consecutive year, Decatur County Director of Bands Paschal Ward has led the Bainbridge High School Bands with a Superior rating in concert performance.

The bands attended the Georgia Bandmasters Association State Concert Band Festival on March 10, and received Superior ratings from all the judges in all areas of their concert performance.

The Hutto Middle School sixth-grade band, under the direction of Spence Salter, received Excellent ratings from all of the judges.

The Bainbridge Middle School eighth-grade band, under the direction of James Sewell, received an overall Superior rating at this year’s festival.

The Bainbridge High School Concert band was directed by Sewell while the Symphonic Band was under the baton of Ward.

The Georgia Bandmasters Concert Band Festival is an evaluation procedure of musical performance abilities for performing bands and directors. Preparing for festival allows the opportunity and motivation for learning music during and extended period of time prior to the event as part of regularly scheduled school work. A total of 26 bands that attended this year’s festival here at the Bainbridge site this year.

Recognized authorities in the field of music education judge each festival performance. The judges for the event this year gave all the Decatur County Bands high praise. The judges were Raymond Smith of Troy, Ala., Ricky Burks of Hanceville, Ala., and Frank Butenschon of Valdosta, Ga. The judges this year had the combined experience as adjudicators of more than 100 years.

“I am very proud of all our band students who have continued to better themselves through the opportunities we have been able to offer them. Our band staff, Mr. Sewell and Mr. Salter, are to be commended on their wonderful work with all of our students. The continued support of our administration and parents has helped us to maintain our current level of success,” Ward said.