Eustis Middle Mustang Jazz Band Rates Superior

The Eustis Middle School Mustang Jazz band received a superior rating for the 2008 FBMA Music Performance Assessment (MPA) for Jazz Band for the 6th straight year.

Eustis, FL (PRWEB) March 13, 2008 -- The Eustis Middle School Mustang Jazz Band recently competed in the Florida Bandmasters Association (FBA) District 19 Music Performance Assessment held Thursday, February 21 at Lake Sumter Community College.

At the contest, the Eustis Middle School Mustang Jazz band received a superior rating for 2008, adding to its string of superior ratings over the last six years.

The band was rated by three judges using several musical criteria. The Superior rating is the highest rating given. Only one other middle school jazz band in Lake County received a superior rating: Carver Middle School.

On Friday February 22, students of the Eustis Middle School Band program participated in the FBA District 19 Music Performance Assessment at Tavares High School. The following students participated and out of the fourteen students listed, three played in more than one event. The students were awarded 13 superior ratings and four excellent ratings.

The following students received a Superior Rating for:

• Trumpet Trio - Melissa Arjona, Immy Ransom, Hannah Wilson,
• Trumpet Trio -Bart Eckhart, Zach Laffey, Jonathan Watson
• Clarinet Duet - Arianna Beyer, Nick Vicchiullo
• Clarinet Trio - Melena Garrett, Ryin Lokietz, Ashley Morris
• Clarinet Solo - Arianna Beyer, Leah Lake
• Alto Saxophone Solo - Jane Campbell
• Tenor Saxophone Solo - Arianna Beyer, Lindsay Bjerken
• Saxophone Trio - Arianna Beyer, Jane Campbell, Nick Vicchiullo
• Flute Solo - Gabriel Longley
• French Horn Solo - Kaitlyn Fowler
• Snare Drum Solo - Darius White

The following students received an Excellent Rating for:

• Trombone Solo - Jacob Harrison, Ted Kirkland
• Tenor Saxophone Solo - Sherline Dolin
• Trumpet Solo - Reagan Wambles

The Eustis Mustang Jazz Ensemble, in addition to performing recently at Lake County's Teacher of the Year banquet, performs many times in Lake County throughout the year. These talented children also perform on a national basis and have won numerous national contests over the last several years. This year the band will play in a competition in Washington DC.

Gerry Ricke has been the Director of Bands at Eustis Middle since 1994. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from South Dakota State University in 1980. Mr. Ricke taught instrumental music grades five through twelve for eight years in South Dakota, where he held teaching and administrative positions. Mr. Ricke spent six years in Iowa holding a high school band position before moving to Florida. Mr. Ricke is currently a member of the Florida School Music Association, Florida Music Educators Association, and the Florida Bandmasters Association. As Director of Bands at Eustis Middle School, Mr. Ricke is responsible for a variety of musical ensembles. He directs the EMS Steel Drum Band, Two Beginner Concert Bands, Intermediate Concert Band, Advanced Concert Band, the combined 6th, 7th, and 8th grade Marching Mustangs, Mustang Jazz II, and the award winning Eustis Mustang Jazz Ensemble. Mr. Ricke assists students with Music Performance Assessment in solo and ensemble as well as State, District, and County Honor Band preparation.