The students and staff of the Union High School Performing Arts Company recently traveled to Williamsburg, Virginia to compete in the
National World Strides Heritage Festival. World Strides Onstage programs aim to fuel the passion of aspiring artists of all ages by providing world class performance opportunities in music, drama, and dance. Groups competing for the UHSPAC were the Swing Choir, Symphonic Band, Indoor Color Guard, and Marching Band. Ensembles from across the USA competed over two days ending with an awards ceremony at Bush Gardens Parks.
Overall, there were twenty-two choral and twenty instrumental ensembles competing, with the UHSPAC ranking at the top of the pack. The UHSPAC show choir lead the groups finishing with a Gold/Superior Rating, the highest score of the entire competition giving them the title of Best Overall Choral Ensemble. Their fifteen minute show, comprised of the music of Earth, Wind and Fire was a hit with the judges, earning them the adjudicator award. Swing Choir Director James Mosser shared, “The Swing Choir is a great opportunity for our students. They get to apply the skills they have been learning in production and apply it to more main stream material like Earth, Wind and Fire. They work very hard with Melissa Abbate, our musical director to master they style and harmony. The competition is an excellent opportunity for students to share their work with other students who do the same thing as them from across the country. We are extremely proud of the work that they have accomplished.”
The Indoor Color Guard had a strong showing with a Gold/Superior rating, and the adjudicator’s award as the judges favorite ensemble. The symphonic band and the marching band finished with Gold/Superior and Silver/Excellent respectively.
Director Laura Muller added “We are fortunate here in Union. Our performing arts students represent their school with such pride and enthusiasm. The efforts they put into their competitive performances are what set them apart. I am so proud of not only how well they performed, but how they carried themselves, and their enthusiasm for sharing the performing arts with others. It is wonderful to bring home awards, but even better when they can share their joy with others. I would also like to take a moment to thank all of our chaperones and the UHSPAC parents for continuing to support us.” Here are all the results:
UNION HIGH SCHOOL SWING CHOIR
• Gold- Superior Rating
• Adjudicator Award
• Best Overall Choral Ensemble
SYMPHONIC BAND
• Gold- Superior Rating
• 2nd Place
INDOOR COLOR GUARD
• Gold- Superior Rating
• Adjudicator Award
MARCHING BAND
• Silver- Excellent Rating
