Band Director Hatley leads the Stallions in their performance at the recent MPA competition. Photo provided by Makenzy Ward.

by Makenzy Ward

The Stallion Band showed off their hard work at the Music Performance Adjudication Assessment (MPA). The MPA is a band competition in which our Stallions participate annually. MPA tests students' abilities to perform sight reading, the quality of their performance, and the quality of their preparation.

What makes this competition different is that it focuses on evaluations instead of prizes. It takes a lot of hard work, practice, and dedication to get high-achieving awards. This year, the Stallions marched to success and were ranked as "superior" by the MPA. 

Band member, Ma’kayla Williams, participated in MPA on March 19th. For Kayla, preparation was the key to success. By "highlighting anything that [she] has trouble with,” Kayla was better able to mentally prepare for the evaluations. To get into the right mindset, Kayla listens to uplifting music before going on stage or professional covers from the piece the band is performing to "get in the zone." She tries calming exercises to relax before playing as well.

MPA is difficult and takes a lot of practice, and the band obtained the ranks to prove it. A determining aspect of success is just how motivated the band had to be. For Kayla, practicing over and over is tiring but rewarding in the long run.

Overall, Southeast Alamance's band focuses on being the best players they can be. Band Director Dylan Hatley works hard to allow the members to grow and thrive. They perform band concerts and even play the songs they performed for the competition at Southeast to show their fellow classmates and parents. These Stallions demonstrate what hard work and determination can lead to.