Ventura, CA - The Ventura High School (VHS) Honors String Quartet, the VHS Wind Ensemble and the VHS String Orchestra earned top honors at two adjudicated music competitions held in March. All groups are part of the Ventura High School instrumental music program, led by Music Director Paul Hunt.

With all new members this year, the VHS Honors String Quartet scored straight Superiors in the Solo/Ensemble Festival of the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA), held in Santa Ana, CA on March 24. Their Superior Award qualifies them to compete in SCSBOA’s Regional Festival to be held on April 21 at California Baptist University in Riverside, CA. Members of the quartet include Sarah Jackson, an 11th grader, and Danica Neuhaus, Madeline Offerman and Maya Tamang, each 9th graders.

“This group was established last year and consists of the top performers of the String Orchestra, each of whom has shown exceptional musical ability. They have been performing on advanced and professional repertoire,” said Mr. Hunt.

For the second consecutive year, the VHS Wind Ensemble has earned a unanimous Superior Gold ranking at the nationally-adjudicated Heritage Music Festival in San Francisco, this year’s festival held on March 30 & 31. The Wind Ensemble received an additional honor this year, taking First Place over other high school wind ensembles and receiving an Adjudicator Award for their performance. The group consists of 9th – 12th graders who are required to audition to participate and play some of the most challenging wind repertoire available.

Competing at the Heritage Festival in San Francisco as well, the VHS String Orchestra won their highest rating to date, an Excellent Silver Award, performing on advanced and professional repertoire. More half of the String Orchestra consists of 9th graders.

The San Francisco Heritage Festival judging was carried out by Dr. Donald Peterson, Vincent Gomes, and George Hattendorf. The well-regarded Heritage Festival is an accredited travel study school established in 1980 to provide performance and educational opportunities for student music groups in the U.S. and Canada.

“I am extremely proud of the students’ accomplishments in these competitions. The students are playing a difficult repertoire and have worked hard to earn these achievements,” said Director Hunt.

Background information:

Part of the Ventura Unified School District, Ventura High School offers music to students as a curriculum elective. Students who elect to study music attend class five days a week, and learn music theory and practice according to the California State Standards.

Ventura High School’s music program is supported by an active Music Boosters Club, made up of volunteer parents who raise funds for competition field trips, scholarships, concert attire, instruments, instrument repair and other necessary equipment and supplies. Music Booster President Carolyn Blossom said, “We are grateful for parent and community support, without which we would not have a music program. We encourage community members to attend our evening concerts to hear these talented students perform and to see the results of our school’s excellent music instruction.”

The Wind Ensemble and Honors String Quartet will perform in “An Evening of Art and Music,” to take place on April 19 at 7 pm. at the Ventura High School Performing Arts Auditorium. If you would like more information go to http://www.venturahsmusic.org/ or to make a donation to the music program call Carolyn at 658-7505.