TURNER – The Maine Band Directors Association ended its winter guard season with the finals at Leavitt Area High School on Saturday, March 24. Nine color guards ranging from elementary to high school performed for evaluations, and a percussion ensemble from Edward Little High School performed in exhibition.

Four judges from the Massachusetts Judging Association provided evaluations of the winter guard groups in the areas of general effect, ensemble analysis, equipment and movement.

The association uses a star rating system, awarding the groups one to four stars in each of the areas as well as an overall rating. In the finals, the groups are awarded gold, silver or bronze medals, with each member of a group receiving a medal in recognition of their efforts.

At the end of the show, the groups stood in full retreat as the awards were presented. The Edward Little Percussion Ensemble received a plaque in recognition of their participation throughout the season.

Guards receiving bronze medals were North Yarmouth Memorial School and Edward Little High School. Both groups received three stars in the areas of movement and ensemble. Edward Little also received three stars for general effect.

Guards receiving silver medals were Greely Middle School, Leavitt Area High School, Marshwood High School, Sanford High School and Portsmouth High School, Portsmouth, N.H. Sanford High School received four stars in the area of ensemble analysis.

Guards receiving gold medals were South Portland High School and the Maine Attraction. The Maine Attraction is an independent guard with members from Biddeford, Brunswick, Old Orchard Beach and Westbrook high schools.

The Maine Band Directors 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 jazz festival, concert band festival and a marching band performance season. The concert band festival will be held at Scarborough High School on Thursday and Friday, March 29 and 30. Visit www.mebda.org for more information on these and other events sponsored by the association.