SOUTH BERWICK – The first show of the Maine Band Directors Association’s winter guard season was held at Marshwood High School on Feb. 24. Six high school color guard groups performed for evaluations. A percussion ensemble from Edward Little High School also performed in exhibition.

The high school winter guards received star ratings in the areas of general effect, ensemble analysis, equipment and movement, as well as an overall star rating.

Guards receiving overall ratings of two stars were Edward Little, Leavitt, Marshwood, Sanford and South Portland.

The Maine Attraction, an independent guard with members from Westbrook, Old Orchard Beach and other schools, received an overall rating of three stars.

The next show of the regular season will be held at Sanford High School at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 4. The show will include an exhibition performance by the Salem, N.H., Blue Devils marching percussion line.

The remaining shows will be held at South Portland High School on Sunday, March 11, and Lewiston High School on Saturday, March 17. These shows will begin at 6 p.m. The Winter Guard Finals will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 24, at Leavitt High School in Turner.

The 2007 Main Open Jazz Festival sponsored by the association will be held on Saturday, March 3, at Westbrook High School.

The association is a nonprofit organization of member schools that provides educational performance opportunities for school instrumental music programs.

Other events sponsored by the association include a concert band festival and a marching band performance season.

For more information, visit www.mebda.org.