In its fifth year, after an estimated 15-year absence, the Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School Orchestra received a "Unanimous Superior" rating at the May 2 California Music Educator's Association (CMEA) festival at San Ramon Valley High School. The top-level rating was given from all four judges in two categories: prepared performance and sight-reading. The Orchestra performed Soon-Hee Newbold's "Knight's Quest," "Concertpiece for Orchestra" by Elliot Del Borgo, and four short movements from "Battalia," by Heinrich Ignatz von Biber which required the string orchestra to split into as many as nine different parts, instead of the usual five. JM's Director of Music Program Adam Noel says it will be exciting to put an orchestra plaque on the wall for the first time.
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA