News Summary
The Leon High School Marching Redcoats are set to perform at the Marching Performance Assessment, striving for their 75th consecutive superior rating. This event showcases their dedication to musical excellence, with evaluations based on various criteria. Director Lee Commander credits the band’s success to a focus on performance quality and tradition. The community is also engaging alumni with a brunch on the same day, highlighting the importance of arts education.
Tallahassee, FL – On the evening of October 25, the Leon High School Marching Redcoats will take the field at Gene Cox Stadium to participate in their Marching Performance Assessment (MPA). This event represents a significant milestone for the band as they aim to secure their 75th consecutive superior rating, a record that has stood since 1950. This achievement marks the longest streak of overall superior ratings in the state of Florida.
The MPA serves as a platform for evaluating marching bands based on various criteria, including musicality, tone quality, precision marching, flag work, and visual design. To earn a superior rating is equivalent to receiving an “A” grade, denoting “the finest conceivable performance.” This rigorous assessment has been a key component of the band’s tradition, a tradition that has been maintained by every Leon band class since 1950, even with changes in directors and evolving musical styles.
Director of bands Lee Commander, who has overseen the program for the past 11 years, credits the success of the band to the focus on excellence rather than the burden of history. Each generation of band students has contributed to this legacy. Commander himself has roots in music from his time with the Florida State University (FSU) Marching Chiefs, bringing a wealth of experience to the program.
The Marching Performance Assessment event will commence at 4:30 p.m., with the Leon High School marching performance scheduled for 7:50 p.m., following a lineup of eleven participating high schools including Godby, Chiles, Rickards, Lincoln, FSUS, and Wakulla. The Leon High School community is also engaging with alumni through a Leon Band Alumni Brunch that will occur from 10 a.m. to noon on the same day, welcoming graduates from all classes.
Leon High School is well-known for its diverse programs in the performing arts, encompassing chorus, drama, orchestra, and guitar. The community supports arts education as a pivotal investment in shaping better thinkers, leaders, and citizens. This commitment to the arts is further demonstrated by the upcoming Annual Performing Arts Winter Showcase (PAWS), planned for December 12-13, where various performing arts programs will be featured to the public.
As the Leon High School Marching Redcoats prepare for their performance and strive for yet another superior rating, they embody a longstanding tradition of excellence in music education. Lee Commander highlights that this legacy of excellence in the arts is a worthy investment that enriches generations, showcasing the importance of music in society and education.
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Additional Resources
- Tallahassee.com: Leon High Band Goes for 75th Consecutive Superior Rating
- Mid Bay News: Niceville High Big Band Scores Top Marks
- CBS News: Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year
- Fox 10 News: High School Band Member Killed
- Tallahassee.com: Godby High Surprised with $140K for Band Equipment
- Wikipedia: Marching Band
- Google Search: Marching Performance Assessment
- Google Scholar: Music Education
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Marching Band
- Google News: High School Band
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
