IN A whirlwind trip of seven days, Caledonia bands and choir hit all the high notes to win four trophies from the Worldstrides Heritage Festival in Seattle.
The trophies were for Outstanding Band Group for the concert band, the Adjudicator’s Award for the concert band, the Program Award for the school’s total program, and the Instrumental Program award for the two bands.
“Down there, their trophies are massive so there’s a whole lot of bling going on,” said musical director Geoff Parr, adding the some of the trophies are four-feet tall.
The three awards were gold for the concert band, gold for the jazz band and silver for the choir.
And Greg van Horne won a Maestro Award trophy for his trombone solo with the jazz band as chosen by the adjudicators.
The concert band was recommended to a gold level festival, which is a special festival that’s invitation only and would be in Los Angeles, but the school won’t likely go, said Parr.
It’s the school’s fourth time at the Seattle event and their best showing, said Parr, adding students won two golds and a silver in previous years.
The festival has gold, silver and bronze awards similar to Canadian festivals but participants can choose to be ranked and with that comes trophies, he said, adding this was the first time he chose for the bands and choir to be ranked.
Some students performed in more than one group: two or three students were in concert band, jazz band and choir, and several took part in both bands or one band and choir.
Parr said it’s not about the “bling,” and a highlight was the students and chaperones just enjoying the whole time on the bus together.