THOMASVILLE — Thomas County Central High School musicians showed off skills learned this year in a judged presentation.

Both concert bands from the TCCHS Bands program performed March 8 for the adjudicators of the Georgia Music Educators Association Large Group Performance Evaluation Committee.

TCCHS Blue Band received a one and twos for its stage performance, a one for sight reading, and a one for student conductor. TCCHS Gold Band received straight ones for stage performance, sight reading, and student conductor.

“I am proud of the accomplishments of our student musicians and proud to have the opportunity to represent the ‘Best of the Nest,’” TCCHS bands director Michael Thomas said.

Selections played by TCCHS bands were chosen from a GMEA-approved music list. Difficulty level is ranked from 1, the easiest, to 6, considered the most difficult.

Blue band personnel primarily consists of freshmen and sophomores with several upperclassmen on secondary instruments. Blue band performed a level 4 program under TCCHS bands assistant director Paul Johns, then advanced to a sight reading, and lastly a performance under student conductor, Chandler Watson.

“It was definitely an honor to stand in front of the band and direct them, but I will admit it was extremely nerve-racking.” Watson said. “Ever since I’ve started band, I wanted to be one of the people directing, and now having sampled that position, I can definitely say it is much harder than Mr. Johns and Mr. Thomas make it look.”

Blue band performed five selections: “Quality Plus” march, “The Beethoven Machine,” “On An American Spiritual,” “Rejoice,” and “As Summer Was Just Beginning.”

“I am extremely proud of my students.” director Paul Johns said. “The music selected was very challenging and the students rose to the occasion. They worked and practiced very hard the past few months and they became better students and musicians because of it.”

Gold band is largely seniors and juniors with a few underclassmen that have achieved high audition scores. Gold band performed a level 5/6 stage program under Thomas’ direction, then performed a sight reading and finally a number under student director, Logan Leik.

“It feels very terrific to do what I am passionate about,” Leik said. “I’ve always had this dream of conducting bands, to be able to be up there on stage, hearing and feeling the music.”

Gold band also played five pieces: “The Liberty Bell,” “Irish Tune from County Derry & Shepherd’s Hey,” “Variations on a Korean Folksong,” “Canyon Sketches,” and “American Visions.”

Gold band performer Will Baillargeon felt the band did “very well” because it received the highest score possible: “straight superior ratings.”