The Holley High School Band and Chorus traveled to Annapolis, Maryland where they competed in the Heritage Music Festival. The band received a silver third place award and the chorus received a silver second place award even though they chose to compete against much larger schools. Both groups practiced months prior to the competition. “The music was hard, but we were well prepared,” said clarinetist Samantha Korber.
In addition to the group awards, senior Brianna Blackburn took home one of six prestigious Maestro Awards for her performance on the mallets/xylophone. Flutist Alyssa Lasch and alto saxophone player Andrew Health also had the opportunity to play the “Washington Post March” with the Naval Academy Band.
The students earned money for the trip by selling candy bars, holiday wreaths, and holding a bowlathon. “It’s been decades since our student musicians have gone out of the state to compete,” said Band Director Dan Wakefield. Both the band and chorus at Holley Middle School/High School have grown exponentially over the past couple of years.
Besides performing, the students had a chance to take a dinner cruise on Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, tour Washington, D.C. and the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, and experience the Medieval Times Dinner Theater where they received their awards. Seventy-five students, 10 parent and teacher chaperones, the two music directors, and Principal Susan Cory made the trip. “The trip was a chance to bond with our classmates and fellow musicians,” said senior clarinetist Jessica Schenk.
