Every spring, the Kentucky Music Educator’s Association (KMEA) hosts a music assessment for high school bands, and this year is no exception. The 2026 Greenwood Concert Band has already been preparing the pieces for months, readying themselves for another year of playing on the Van Meter stage.
KMEA Concert Assessment usually follows a similar pattern: students enter in concert black attire and warm up in a backstage room. They then go to perform onstage, where they will be scored by three judges on a scale from 4 (novice) to 1 (distinguished). In previous years, this was followed by a trip down the hill for sightreading, but this year the KMEA is hosting a clinic for each band. Clinics in band usually involve pointing out band skills and ways to improve, but the specifics of the KMEA clinic remain to be seen.
Many band members are expressing confidence that the band will make a distinguished rating, which can largely be attributed to their numerous preparations. For example, junior clarinet player Itzli Perez-Chaney says she practices her instrument both at home and during spare moments of band class. Freshman trombone player Aleesha Niyorukundo says she practices difficult rhythms. Sophomore flute player Garrett Brown says he prepares by “playing in band class.”
The band is preparing three pieces for the concert. Solas Ane, which both Brown and Niyorukundo cite as their favorite, is a slow and melodic piece with a quick, dance-like middle section based on Gaelic traditions. Red Rock Mountain is a longer piece that focuses on an inspirational climb up a mountain (presumably one with red rocks). It has a hopeful and determined tempo with a small ballad in the middle. Finally, there is Street Tango, a melodic piece designed to be played during a dance that is the favorite of Perez-Chaney. It is designed with sweeping melodies and face-paced notes that lend itself to the traditional dance performed on the streets.
Band members also have specific goals for this year’s contest. Niyorukundo hopes to “not notice too many mistakes.” Brown claims that he wants to “get better” at flute. Perez-Chaney summarizes everything by saying that her goal is “we get distinguished, do well, and have fun.”
