The Langston Hughes Middle School Symphonic Band earned a Superior rating at the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors' Association District XII Concert Band Festival held at Kenmore Middle School in Arlington on March 4 and 5. The Hughes Concert Band earned an Excellent rating.

Each band perfomed a concert of three prepared selections, including a march and two overtures or suites, for a panel of three judges. Following the concert, the bands went to a different room to sightread (i.e, play a previously unseen piece) for another judge. The bands received a rating from each judge, with Superior (I) being the highest, followed by Excellent (II), Good (III), Fair (IV) and Poor (V). Individual judge scores are averaged for the overall rating.