By Katie Servas – Staff Reporter

Competing was quite the emotional roller coaster, until the park opened and everyone got on the actual roller coasters.

Then the emotion came from those who were afraid of heights.

The concert band, orchestra, advanced vocal ensemble, and concert choir performed at Holy Oak High School, minutes away from Six Flags. 

This was the first time for many ensemble members to perform for live judges and receive professional feedback on their performance.

“I haven’t been to a music competition in three years so I definitely forgot how it felt to perform at a competition,” sophomore section leader Moulika Sivalenka said. “I was nervous, scared, and just wanted to get the performance over with, but I think the cool energy and calmness of (band and orchestra director) Mr. Pelaggi made me less nervous.”

Receiving the feedback after the performance allowed the ensembles to reflect on their performance and their improvements throughout the year. 

“The feedback was great and mostly constructive,” junior choir manager Kalli Kinsman said. “Every judge is different, so you have to take their feedback and recognize what you need to work on as a group to improve and be better the next time you perform.”

The concert band received an excellent score as well title as the overall high school concert band. The concert choir received the second place high school choir title as well as a superior score. The advanced vocal ensemble also received a superior score and first overall. Finally, the orchestra received a superior rating.

There was tremendous growth within the ensembles that shown through with their performances.

“Our students’ tone, sense of rhythm, sense of intonation, and balance and blend have improved immensely,” Pelaggi said. “At the beginning of the year, students were having some trouble coming out of COVID, but we have really overcome these challenges.”

After the competition the department spent the remainder of their afternoon at Six Flags amusement park with all the other schools attending. 

Many students spent their time with members from other Jonathan Law ensembles and were able to venture around the park together. 

“Being able to spend time with my friends that I don’t normally hang out with was one of my highlights of the trip,” senior percussion player Dimitri Barnes said. “It was a great experience, especially at the end of senior year.”

The trip was popular among students as it was near the end of the year and the first trip many have taken due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It was just so wonderful to feel like we had a group of people who love and support each other walking around throughout the park,” choir director Ms. Jones said. “So, it made it so much more fun to have the people we enjoy being around to share the day with.”