CHORAL CONQUESTS
By Caelen Mahoney
The Saddle Brook High School Festival Choir and Brass Ensemble took home big wins at their competition in Williamsburg, Virginia this Spring. The Brass Ensemble, under the direction of Frank Ortega, was formed to compete in the festival and rehearsed multiple days after school in preparation for the adjudication. The Brass Ensemble, comprised of 11 brass players performed very well and earned an excellent rating
in the festival.
The choir consisting of 20 singers, rehearsed for many months in preparation for this highly anticipated adjudication and their work payed off! Under the direction of Malcolm Couden, The singers not only brought home a first place trophy for their division with a rating of superior, but also brought home the title of “Best Overall Choir” throughout the whole competition. What does this mean? Music in the Parks competitions have a point system out of 100 and two judges score each ensemble in a live performance exhibition. The SBHS Festival Choir earned the very prestigious score of 98 points earning them a supine category title. Furthermore this score was the highest choral score in the competition, winning the Saddle Brook the title of “Best Overall”. Congratulations to the Brass Ensemble and the Festival Choir!
Caelen Mahoney received a special honor this year as she was one of 4 singers in the state of New Jersey selected to receive the New Jersey Governor's Award for Vocal Music.