NEWS Walnut Valley Unified School District
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 880 S. Lemon Avenue
April 23, 2012 Walnut, CA 91789
Contact:
Kelli Gile, Office of Community Resources
(909) 595-1261 ext. 31204
Chaparral Orchestra Shines at San Francisco Festival
DIAMOND BAR, CA—The Chaparral Middle School Sinfonia 8th grade Orchestra won top honors at the Heritage Music Festival held in San Francisco on April 14.
The 100+ member ensemble received a Gold Rating for scoring 95.67, the Adjudicators Award given to groups who score a 92 or higher.
The group was also named Outstanding Orchestra Group, outscoring every school in the festival, including all of the high schools.
Violinists Betty Kim and Frances Song were awarded the Maestro Award, a prestigious honor only given to outstanding students.
“We were very surprised when our names were called to receive the award. We didn’t expect this honor and we are just so happy that the orchestra won the overall award!” Betty and Frances said.
Fifty middle and high school orchestras, bands, choirs, jazz bands, and percussion ensembles competed at the event held at Foothill College in Los Altos. The judges were Kirt Saville from Brigham Young University, Robert Mayes from University of Houston, and Vincent Gomez from Cabrillo College
The Diamond Bar musicians performed Danza by Robert W. Smith, Andanted Festivo by Jean Sibelius, and the 1812 Overture by Peter IIyich Tchaikovsky arranged by Sandra Dackow.
The Orchestra was also invited to perform at the 2013 Festival of Gold at the Chicago Orchestra Hall, an honor only given to groups who score a 90 or above.
“This has been an amazing group to work with for the past three years. I am so pleased that they were able to have the opportunity to be recognized for their hard work. I will miss them as they move on to high school next year!” said Director Greg Rochford.
Shown:
The young musicians fit in a little San Francisco sightseeing.
The Chaparral Middle School Sinfonia Orchestra under the direction of Greg Rochford in concert.
Chaparral’s Sinfonia Orchestra performed at the Heritage Music Festival in San Francisco on April 14.
The Chaparral Middle School Sinfonia Orchestra with Director Greg Rochford.
The Chaparral group celebrated their award-winning performance. Director Greg Rochford is also shown holding two top trophies.