Lawtell band preps for state competition

The Lawtell Elementary Concert Band will represent St. Landry Parish at the Louisiana Music Educators Association State Assessment Wednesday in Lake Charles and the Lake Charles Civic Center.

The band earned superior ratings in every category at last month's district competition in Lafayette to qualify for Wednesday's competition. Lawtell Band Director Emily Young said the kids were determined to earn superior in concert and sight reading after falling short in one of the categories last year.

"The kids are really dedicated and we've worked really hard," Young said. "It's a really big deal."

There are five categories of ratings that are possible, ranging from 1 to 5 with 1 being the highest (superior), according to LMEA's website. The final rating for a band's performance is determined from the compilation of individual ratings from the three judges.

Young said it was the first time in several years that the band posted top ratings across the board.

"I'm a big proponent of character and creating a vision for the kids to look up to," Young said. "Just having someone believe in them is big. I want this (experience) to be something they can carry with them for the rest of their lives."

Young said there are about 150 students involved in the music program, but only about 30 participated in the district competition. She said her program held several fundraisers throughout the year to help with cost of newer instruments and other things.

"Most kids don't own their own instruments," Young said. "Most of our instruments are school owned."

The band is scheduled to perform at 10:10 a.m. Wednesday, where they will perform three pieces as well as a sight reading piece. For sight reading, a band receives a piece of music they have not seen and are allowed eight minutes to go over it without playing before performing for the judges.

"The Lawtell community has embraced the band," Young said. "It's a community effort."

The band will perform at a concert May 17 at the Delta Grand in Opelousas at 7 p.m. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and tickets will be $5.