MPA is the most important concert that J.N. Fries bands participate in. MPA takes place in mid March and is considered the End of Year test for band. Students will prepare 3 band pieces and travel during the school day to Wingate University to perform these pieces in front of a panel of judges. These judges assess students on the skills they have learned throughout the year/throughout their time in middle school band. Students will receive a rating of 1-5, 1 being the best. This rating not only gives the director an understanding of how well students are achieving, but allows directors in the state to know how their programs grow year over year and recieve specific feed back on how to better the band program. Possible MPA dates this school year are March 8th-10th, 2023. This concert is required of all 8th grade students and Honor Band students. The attire for this concert is solid black.