Eustis Middle Mustang Jazz Band Scores Superior Ratings

Eustis, FL (PRWeb) February 23, 2007 -- The Eustis Middle School Mustang Jazz Band recently competed in the Florida Bandmasters Association (FBA) District 19 Music Performance Assessment held Thursday, February 15 at Lake Sumter Community College.

At the contest, the Eustis Middle School Mustang Jazz band again received straight superiors for 2007, following on its record of superiors for the last several years. The band actually received a standing ovation from the audience of peers (other middle school and high school bands), parents and visitors. Mr. Gerry Ricke, "In my 13-years of band directing, I have never seen a standing ovation given to any band at one of these evaluations."

The band was rated by three judges using several musical criteria. Two other middle school jazz bands in Lake County received straight superior ratings: Tavares Middle School and Carver Middle School.

On Saturday February 17, students of the Eustis Middle School Band program participated in the FBA District 19 Music Performance Assessment at Tavares High School. The following students participated and out of the ten students listed, four played in two competitions each. The students were awarded 13 superior ratings and one excellent rating.

Greg Balut
Arianna Beyer
Courtland Beyer
Elise Bjerken
Jane Campbell
Dereka Carty
Leah Lake
Bruce Martin
Dominick Viccuillo
Alee Wilcox

The Eustis Mustang Jazz Ensemble, in addition to performing recently at Lake County's Teacher of the Year banquet, performs many times in Lake County throughout the year. These talented children also perform on a national basis and have won numerous national contests over the last several years. This year the band will play in two competitions in April and May at the Lakeside Jazz Festival in Port Orange, FL and the Dixie Classic Music Festival in Virginia Beach, VA.

Gerry Ricke has been the Director of Bands at Eustis Middle since 1994. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from South Dakota State University in 1980. Mr. Ricke taught instrumental music grades five through twelve for eight years in South Dakota, where he held teaching and administrative positions. Mr. Ricke spent six years in Iowa holding a high school band position before moving to Florida. Mr. Ricke is currently a member of the Florida School Music Association, Florida Music Educators Association, and the Florida Bandmasters Association.
As Director of Bands at Eustis Middle School, Mr. Ricke is responsible for a variety of musical ensembles. He directs the EMS Steel Drum Band, Two Beginner Concert Bands, Intermediate Concert Band, Advanced Concert Band, the combined 6th, 7th, and 8th grade Marching Mustangs, Mustang Jazz II, and the award winning Eustis Mustang Jazz Ensemble. Mr. Ricke assists students with Music Performance Assessment in solo and ensemble as well as State, District, and County Honor Band preparation.

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