For the third consecutive year, HSHS will host the prestigious Central District East Music Performance Assesment (formally known as Band Festival) on March 24, 25, and 26. The event is free and open to the public. The MPA is conducted to a grading system to rate the level of achievement of each band or ensemble. Each group is adjudicated on standards contained in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study.

North Carolina has six band districts. The event is held annually and is one of the most important events that band students take part in during their high school careers. The District Bandmaster’s Association runs the event.

Bands perform in front of a panel of distinguished judges, often made up of active and retired band directors that range from a middle school to collegiate level. Each judge is asked to analize the quality of each group’s performance in several key areas: Tone, intonation, technique, balance, interpretation, and musical effect. Judges have a musical score for each selection performed.

The three day event will include 37 different bands and ensembles from schools from the district including: local Wake County Schools as wells as schools from Durham, Granville, and Franklin Counties.

The Holly Springs High School Concert Band will kick off the festivities on Wednesday, March 24, at 9:10 a.m.. The HSHS Wind Ensemble will play at 6:05 p.m. on Wednesday. The Fuquay Varina Wind Ensemble will play at 7:25 p.m. on Wednesday, the Fuquay Varina Concert Band will play at 10:40 a.m. on Thursday, the Middle Creek Symphonic Band will play at 4 p.m. on Thursday, the Apex Concert Band I will play at 9:55 a.m. on Friday, the Middle Creek Concert Band will play at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, the Apex Concert Band II will play at 1 p.m. on Friday, and the Apex Wind Ensemble will play at 2:40 p.m.. on Friday. For the complete schedule, log onto the HSHS Band’s website at www.goldenhawksband.org