First Competition and First One Rating!

In the music program at Sam's school they can start going to competition in seventh grade.  Sam was in a low brass ensemble that took a piece to a middle school competition at Central Methodist University.  It is in Fayette, which is about a 45 minute drive from Columbia.  I was able to go and watch him compete.  His ensemble did an excellent job.  Sam was very nervous about being judged but was happy at the end of the performance telling me it was the best job they had ever done on the piece.  The judge thought they did a great job too awarding them with a one rating! 
The kids also enjoyed being out of school for the day, walking around a college campus, listening to their friends perform and just hanging out together.  I think the highlight of the day was their time after the competition getting to go to the mall for lunch.  From what I hear they had a great time.  Hopefully this will encourage Sam to keep taking pieces in the future.