In a Festival-format event, Ratings are given to each performance: Poor, Fair, Good, Excellent, and Superior. These ratings are based on a rubric that represents a perfect performance. Judges assess rigorously against that high standard. It may seem disappointing to get a low rating in the early season, but it should be expected. As the performance becomes more polished and precise, the ratings should reflect that. A rating of ‘Good’ may look like the equivalent of a ‘C’ grade, but at an early point in the season, this only tells us that there are a lot of aspects to the show upon which the kids can improve. Another term you might hear: If ALL the judges in the panel give Superior ratings, then the band is deemed to be “Superior with Distinction.”
