Concert bands and choruses earn high ratings at Virginia Assessments

Congratulations to our students, music teachers, and administration for their achievements at the Virginia Music Performance Assessments, also known as District Band and Chorus Assessment. Panels of up to five professional music educators assessed Hampton City Schools (HCS) bands and choruses using state and national standards for excellence. Ninety-six percent earned a Superior Rating and exceeded the standard or an Excellent Rating, meeting the standard. An overall Superior rating can be described as Pass/Advanced. An Excellent rating can be described as Pass/Proficient. 

“The assessment is standardized across the state for high-quality school music programs and is an important part of providing students and teachers with feedback on their music literacy. The ability to read music is one skill colleges look at when deciding on student music scholarships. We are proud of the students' consistent accomplishments and look forward to their spring concerts,” said Kelly Dee, HCS visual and performing arts curriculum leader. 

Special state honors include: 

Bethel High School Band and Chorus

Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA) Blue Ribbon School

Second Year

76 students

Bethel High School Band

Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association (VBODA)

Honor Band

Seven Years

50 students

Eaton Fundamental Middle School Band and Chorus

Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA) Blue Ribbon School

First Year

103 students

Kecoughtan High School Band and Chorus

Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA) Blue Ribbon School

First Year

75 students

The following bands and choral groups earned ratings:

Bethel High Concert Band-Superior

Bethel High Symphonic Band-Superior

Bethel High Chorus-Superior

Eaton Fundamental Middle Band-Superior

Eaton Fundamental Middle Chorus-Superior

Hampton High Band-Excellent

Hampton High Chorus-Excellent

Jones Magnet Middle Band-Excellent

Jones Magnet Middle Chorus-Superior

Kecoughtan High Concert Band-Superior

Kecoughtan High Symphonic Band-Superior

Kecoughtan High Chorus 1-Excellent

Kecoughtan High Chorus 2-Excellent

Kecoughtan High Chorus 3-Superior

Kecoughtan High Chorus 4-Superior

Kilgore Gifted Center Band-Superior

Kilgore Gifted Center Chorus 6th Grade-Superior

Kilgore Gifted Center Chorus 7th-8th Grade-Excellent

Lindsay Middle Band-Excellent

Lindsay Middle Chorus-Good

Phenix PreK-8 6th Grade Band-Excellent

Phenix PreK-8 7th-8th Grade Band-Excellent

Phoebus High Band-Excellent

Syms Middle Chorus-Good

Tarrant Middle Band-Excellent

Congratulations to all of our music students and music educators!