The Memorial Middle School Symphony Orchestra placed eighth in State Honor Orchestra competition recently. Based on a UIL audition tape recorded last spring, the orchestra rated once again as one the best middle school student orchestras in the state. Since the 1990s, Memorial Middle has been named the No. 1 such orchestra in the state three separate years. This year’s orchestra has 118 students. Memorial Middle’s director is Lydia Feazell; assistant director is Matt Tavilson. (8-29-08)