Bows glide across the shining maple wood as fingers delicately bounce from string to string. Sounds are heard. Music is felt. This was Robinson Orchestra’s 2025 Music Performance Assessment. 

The Music Performance Assessment (MPA) is an evaluation of an orchestra’s musical excellence on three musical pieces and sightreading. Judges rank the performance on a scale from Superior (the highest), Excellent, Good, Fair, and Poor. This year, MPA was hosted here at the R. Groups from all over the county arrived at Robinson High School from Wednesday, Feb. 26 through Friday, Feb. 28.

Robinson’s Beginner Orchestra kicked off the event with the very first performance of the year–and they kicked it off amazingly. The orchestra earned straight superiors across all categories of music and demonstrated musical mastery with their pieces. 

Mrs. Howard, the orchestra director, was pleased with her students’ performance.

“My kids played really, really, really well,” she said. She also complimented the advanced orchestra, claiming that they “played the best they’ve ever played.”

“I think our performance went really well,” Farrah Murray (‘28), a bassist in the first orchestra, said. “A lot of people were nervous, including myself, but we all love music so when we started playing we didn’t feel as nervous because it was fun. Mrs. Howard said before we played the songs to just have fun, and that music should be enjoyable.”

Robinson’s Advanced Orchestra performed the next day–again, kicking off the day concerts just as phenomenally as their counterpart. They received a fantastic overall superior and a perfect sight-reading score, showcasing Robinson’s musical talent.

Sophie Bajohr (‘27), the Orchestra’s Vice President and violinist, was happy with the performance.

“I’m really proud of all the hard work everyone put in,” Bajohr said. “My favorite part of orchestra is being able to perform with my friends and hearing how all the different sections come together to create a powerful sound,” and this definitely happened.

Mallory Curts (‘27) plays the violin in the advanced orchestra and wonderfully performed a solo in one of the pieces. 

“We were not just making music, but we painted colors and a scene of tranquility even within the fiery depths of our sound,” Curts said, reflecting on their rendition of Terrestrial Fire. 

Curts has been playing since she was little. “To me, music is life,” Curts said. “Orchestra allows me to just be myself and be around the people who share that same powerful feeling.”