2026 MMEA Fall In-Service Conference

What do festival ratings really tell us about student performance and ensemble achievement? This session presents findings from a quantitative analysis of ratings from every Maryland high school concert band festival performance during a single year of statewide assessment. The study examines rating distributions, reliability, and differences across classification levels, while identifying common strengths and recurring areas for improvement within adjudication categories. Attendees will gain research-based insights into statewide performance trends and practical strategies for using assessment data to inform instruction, repertoire selection, festival preparation, and performance evaluation.