Powell High School has contributed to the Bighorn District Music Festival, now known as District Music Performance Assessment, for as long as many can remember. This festival brings bands together from around the Bighorn Basin area and assesses them on their musical abilities.

Music teachers from all over Wyoming, who serve as judges, travel in order to determine how the groups and solo participants should be ranked including ratings such as a 1 (superior), 2 (excellent), 3 (good), 4 (fair) and a 5, (poor). The band received a superior rating.

“For my senior year this year, I was hopeful that I would get to perform my duet with my best friend, especially since it’ll be my last,” senior Kylie Kahl said. “I was so happy that our band had received a superior rating this year though. Especially since we’ve been getting superior for over 20 years. It definitely was a good feeling.”

While the band performed as a group, the choirs performed their solos and ensembles with many achieving a score they were satisfied with. 

“I participated in doing solos and ensembles on Monday and did a duet with Emma Johnson. We got a two rating and were very proud of the outcome,” junior Alexa Nardini said.. “I was really looking forward to doing our group choir pieces but because of the roads and weather, we weren’t able to make it.”

Unfortunately, April 12 became Powell Highschool’s first snow day of the year, affecting the many musicians ready to perform at the District Music Performance Assessment. 

After many hours of practice, the cancellation had PHS students agitated because of the time and preparation they had put into their solos, ensembles and group performances. The early morning call announcing the snow day made many musicians upset. 

“Well I had gotten the call at 5:40 in the morning and was super worried,” sophomore Joe Bucher said. “I didn’t know what I was going to do because my quartet and I had worked so hard just to have it canceled so I was upset. Luckily Mr. Fabela informed us that we would still letter, but it definitely was still a bummer.” 

Even though many were not happy with the outcome of Tuesday, many were excited about their results that they had gotten on Monday. 

“I was so glad that I got to participate in doing my solo on Monday because I got one and was so proud of the outcome,” sophomore Bella Bertagnole said.. “I can’t wait for choir next year and hope there are many more good years ahead like this one, with better weather of course.”