Hornell High Choirs, Win Numerous Gold Awards In Virginia

FROM HORNELL CHOIR DIRECTOR CHRIS VAN LEEUWEN:

This weekend, Hornell competed in the WorldStrides Onstage Choral Competition in Williamsburg, VA. The festival organizes schools into divisions based on size (school enrollment grades 10-12.) There were a total of 10 choirs at the festival.
* A: 1-600 (9 choirs including Hornell’s 4)
* AA: 601-1199 (1 choir)
* AAA: 1200+ (0 choirs)

There are various categories of “types” of choirs. We competed in the following:
* Senior High Choir – Concert Choir Category
* Treble Choir – Upper Voices Category
* Chamber Choir – Chamber Choir Category
* Jazz Choir – Vocal Jazz Category

There are “ratings” and “rankings” that occur at festivals.

Ratings are based on the average score between all three adjudicators
* GOLD – Scores between 85 – 100
* SILVER – Scores between 75 – 84
* BRONZE – Scores between 65 – 74
* FESTIVAL – 64 and lower

Rankings taking the average score and comparing it to other schools in the same division (size) and category (type). Here are those results:
* Senior High Choir: GOLD 1st Place of 4
* Treble Choir: GOLD 1st Place of 3
* Chamber Choir: GOLD (unopposed)
* Jazz Choir: GOLD (unopposed)

In addition, Hornell High School Vocal Music Program received the following:

Sweepstakes for Best Choral Program: Hornell Vocal Music Program
This award goes to the highest achieving choral program at a festival regardless of their category or their divisional size

Sweepstakes for Best Overall Choir: Chamber Choir
This award goes to the ensemble that was selected by the adjudicators for the highest overall score regardless of their category or their divisional size. For this, Hornell Chamber Choir was 1st place out of 10 choirs!

Maestro Awards: Samuel Mehlenbacher (Junior)
These awards are given to students who demonstrate exceptional musical ability while performing a solo in competition. Because of this award, Sam has automatically been selected to participate in the WorldStrides Honors festival at the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia.

Festival of Gold Invitations: Chamber Choir
*only “traditional” ensembles are eligible for this (i.e. no Jazz Choirs are selected)
This honor is bestowed upon ensembles whose average scores were 95+ in their division. Selection into this elite area grants these ensembles an opportunity and invitation to perform at Carnegie Hall in NYC at a future date. Official invitations will be sent at a later date.