The Mathews County Public Schools Music Department has had a busy week. Last Wednesday, the Mathews High School band traveled to Warhill High School in Williamsburg to participate in the District VIII VBODA State Assessment. The MHS band, under the direction of Mark Givens (photo above) received an overall Excellent rating from all judges, with no grades in individual captions lower than a B. On Friday and Saturday, 29 members of the Blue Devil and Seahawk bands participated in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula Area Honor Band (photo below). The students performed and rehearsed under the direction of Dr. Terry Austin and Todd Tinsley with a band made of students from all around the area. The students rehearsed all day Friday and Saturday morning before playing a concert on Saturday. Those taking part in this past weekend’s honor band included, back row from left, Bethany Davis, Tristan Barnes, Michael Wiatt, Corey Zheng, Ethan White, Bella Hockenberry, Hayden Marshall; third row, ...