Every April, the Music Department takes three hundred students to compete in a Festival of Music. This year, they had the opportunity to compete in Chicago, Illinois.
After a nine hour bus ride, the students arrived to showcase their talents.
Eleven different groups competed in either the Concert Band or Marching Band category.
In the end, the students’ hard work paid off, bringing home many first places and superior ratings.
Symphonic Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Choir, Jazz Ensemble, Parade, Drum line, Bethettes, and Majorettes all brought home first places.
Symphonic Band, Drum line, Bethettes, and Majorettes were each rated as superior. All other groups received ratings of excellent.
In addition, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Orchestra, Parade Band, and Jazz Ensemble received Best Overalls in the Festival.
Jazz Ensemble’s Saxophones received Overall Best Jazz Section.
When the students were not performing, there were plenty of fun activities planned.
“My favorite part was The Blue Man Group. It was not what I expected; the show was really cool!” Mackenzie Happe, a member of Top 21, said.
This year, the kids went to many other places like Maggiano’s, where they had Chicago deep dish pizza.
They were entertained by a number of other attractions, including the Sky Deck at the Willis Tower.
The students had that opportunity to attend a White Sox game, a musical, or go shopping.
The trip, as always, was a success.