STEVENSVILLE — (May 30, 2023) — In March, both the KIHS Symphonic Band and Choir travel to perform at District Festivals.

After both ensembles received an overall rating of Superior from the judges, they were eligible to submit at the Maryland Music Education Association’s (MMEA) Large Ensemble State Festival.

On April 27th, the Symphonic Band and Choir hosted a short afternoon performance of their festival pieces in the KIHS auditorium for the public. The performance was recorded and submitted for judging soon thereafter. Both ensembles received their scores and judge comments via email. Overall ratings of Superior (the highest rating category) were awarded to both the Kent Island High School Symphonic Band and Choir!

“This is such an honor for me, as this is my first year participating at District Festival and only my second year as Choral Director at Kent Island High School,” shared Reanna Sherman, Choir Director at KIHS. “I am delighted that both the band and choir can share in this moment and am so glad that Mrs. Scully and I got to work together with such a wonderful group of young musicians.”

The KIHS Choir is a thirty-eight-member ensemble made up of 9^th – 12th grade students of all musical abilities. The choir rehearses every day for forty minutes to prepare one warm-up piece and two adjudicated pieces for the judges. At the District Choir Festival, the ensemble received three Superior and one excellent rating from the judges overall.

Kim Scully is completing her eighth year as Band Director at Kent Island High School where she leads the Concert and Symphonic Bands, Marching Band, and Pit Orchestra. She is also an instructor for the United States Naval Academy Drum and Bugle Corps.

“As an educator who weathered the COVID pandemic, I celebrate this accomplishment with even more appreciation and pride. These students have had to work twice as hard to recoup the skills lost while performing at home,” said Mrs. Scully. “In a short period of time, they were able to persevere and demonstrate the kind of dedication to their craft that earned their performances this kind of recognition.”

The Symphonic Band is a forty-member-ensemble of 10^th – 12th grade students that also rehearse daily for forty minutes in preparation for festivals and concert performances. At the District Band Festival, the Symphonic Band performed a warm up and two pieces for adjudication. They earned Superior ratings from all four judges, which qualified them to move on to the State Band Festival. 

“This accomplishment is especially sweet,” shared Mrs. Scully, “since our 2020 Symphonic Band qualified for the State Band Festival for the first time during my tenure, but could not attend due to COVID. This 2023 ensemble worked especially hard to bring this recognition back to the program.”