On April 10, 2025, the St. Marys concert band will perform two songs for the West Virginia Ratings Festival. The band will then be given a score on a scale of 1 to 5. A one means superior and a five is good.  

The concert band has prepared for ratings for months. They will perform Choose Joy and Flight of Valor. The song, Choose Joy, is about choosing positivity in the face of tragedy. It was commissioned to honor a young woman who chose joy in the face of a serious illness. The song, Flight of Valor, follows Flight 93 on September 11, 2001. It was commissioned to honor those who passed on Flight 93. It follows their selfless decision to take over the plane, the mourning that followed 9/11, and the brave legacy that they left behind. 

The band is made up of multiple instruments. There are three flutes (one of whom also plays the piccolo), four clarinets, one bassoon, five trumpets, one alto saxophone, two tubas, one baritone, three trombones, and six percussionists. The concert band has performed at ratings every year. In 2022, they received a superior rating (one). In 2023, they received a superior rating (one). In 2024, they received an excellent rating (two). 

 It will be exciting to see what rating they earn this year. To the St. Marys concert band, remember your dynamics, tone, and blending. But most importantly, have fun! SharGood luck St. Marys concert band!