For the second consecutive year, both the Monroe Middle School Orchestra and the Monroe High School Orchestra have received first division or excellent ratings at the District 12 Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association Festival.  The event was held last week at Monroe County Community College.

               Earning the excellent ratings qualified both musical groups to participate in the state festival.  However, neither group will be participating in the state festival due to other performance commitments.  The MHS Orchestra now starts to prepare for a performance trip to Nashville, Tenn., and the MMS Orchestra will be preparing to perform in the Trills and Thrills Festival in Sandusky, Ohio. 

               Mrs. Ann Felder is the conductor of both groups.