Both Hazelwood Central and Hazelwood East high schools are set to host to orchestra festivals on March 9.
Kimberly Jackson, the orchestra director at Hazelwood Central High School, will host the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) High School Large Group Orchestra Festival while Hazelwood East High School Orchestra Director Michael Hanf will host the St. Louis Suburban Music Educators Association (SLSMEA) Middle School Large Group Orchestra Festival.
The high school festival begins at 8:25 a.m. and lasts until 3:05 p.m. while the middle school festival starts 8:40 a.m. and ends at 1:40 p.m.
At the MSHSAA festival, seven area high school orchestras will prepare and perform musical selections for three judges to listen to and critique. Then they will sight read a piece of music for another judge, who will also critique the orchestras. The combined ratings of all four judges comprise the orchestras’ final ratings - I is Superior, II is Excellent, III is good, IV is fair and V is poor. Last year, the Hazelwood Central High School Symphonic Orchestra received a Superior rating.
At the SLSMEA festival, nine area sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade orchestras will perform for three judges. The judges will rate the orchestras’ performance and give them tips on how to improve.