PHS band scores superior ratings

The Portales High School band received superior ratings in district competition Thursday in Clovis. It was the first time in six years the band received the highest ratings in marching band, concert band and sight reading competition.

The band had earlier this year aced the marching band competition. Thursday, the concert band performed three prepared pieces and one piece they had never played before. The band’s director, Brandon Boerio, had 10 minutes to prepare the band to play the sight-reading piece. He said the band’s performance of the sight-reading piece was good, perhaps one of the best performances of a new piece in quite awhile.

“I can’t remember the name or composer of the piece,” Boerio said. We read it so fast.”

Boerio said he found out the judges had awarded superior ratings just before noon Thursday.

“The band director at Clovis High School told me and then while my students were taking pictures, I told them. Everybody was so excited.”

Jeremy Smith, a saxophonist with the band, said the band was relaxed during the performances.

“We have a really good system,” he said. “The last few weeks things were coming together really well. We made some mistakes (at competition) but it sounded good.”

By winning superior ratings in all three major categories, the band was able to bring home a trophy called the “Sweepstakes” trophy which denotes superior ratings in all three categories.

Boerio said he and the band don’t have long to rest on their laurels because another competition is coming up in two weeks in Dallas. He said he and the band went out for pizza Thursday, but celebrations will remain low key as the band seeks to continue it’s string of superior performances.

“I’m just happy this competition is done, so I can get some sleep,” he said.