The high school’s Music Department recently returned from Hershey, Pennsylvania with armfuls of trophies after an outstanding showing at the prestigious “Music in the Parks Competition.” Competing against schools from across the East Coast, BH-BL musicians demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication across all ensembles.
The weekend proved to be a remarkable success with multiple first place finishes. Concert Choir and Select Choir, under the direction of Ann Derrick, both claimed top honors in their respective categories. The instrumental groups matched this excellence with Concert Band earning first place under the direction of Caitlyn Clark, and Chamber Strings also securing a first place finish under the direction of Andrew Caswell.
Orchestra delivered an impressive performance, earning second place with a Superior rating, while Jazz Band placed second, with junior Heidi Tallman recognized as the competition’s best Jazz soloist. Symphonic Band also received a rating of Excellent for their performance.
Perhaps most significantly, BH-BL High School was awarded the competition’s Esprit De Corps award. This prestigious recognition awarded to only one school celebrates not only musical excellence but also exemplary character and conduct throughout the event. The award acknowledges the school that best demonstrates musicianship both on and off stage, highlighting the respect, positivity, and support our students showed for their fellow musicians.
“This award recognizes that a lot goes into preparing for a competition and part of being a musician is supporting the other musicians in your program,” said BH-BL Director of Fine Arts Sarah White. “We are extremely proud of our students’ accomplishments, both for their musical achievements and for representing our school with such distinction.”
Beyond the competition, students enjoyed the full Hershey Park experience, taking advantage of the amusement park’s many attractions and creating memories that will last a lifetime.
The BH-BL community congratulates all of our talented musicians on their hard work and remarkable achievements at this year’s Music in the Parks Competition!
