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Livermore High Music Program Earns Top Honor at National Music Festival

April 10, 2024 - Livermore, CA - It was a weekend filled with music, enthusiasm, and triumph as Livermore High School (LHS) music students shined brightly at the 2024 Worldstrides OnStage Heritage Festival music competition held March 21-24, 2024 in Anaheim, California. Livermore High’s eight ensembles featuring 154 students competed against 35 ensembles from seven different states and came out on top, winning the coveted Festival Sweepstakes Award, the competition’s top honor for comprehensive music program excellence. 

Livermore’s instrumental music teacher and visual and performing arts department chair, Justin Enright, along with vocal music teacher, Brendan Lodge, worked on perfecting musical pieces with their students for several months in advance of the Worldstrides competition. After two days of competition, Livermore’s band, orchestra, and choir ensembles earned an impressive 23 combined awards in a variety of categories, including six individual solo awards, and the Instrumental and Festival Sweepstakes Awards. “The students performed with passion and excitement,” expressed Enright. “Multiple adjudicators mentioned that what they most appreciated about our students was their undeniable love for music. That’s all we can ask for!”

Prior to their competitive performances, students had the opportunity to attend mentoring sessions with music professors from the University of California, Irvine. Ensembles were able to perform and receive feedback during these sessions that helped to best prepare them for the competition. “The feedback we received was extremely insightful and helped to build our confidence going into the competition,” shared Yeonjun Kim,12th grade chamber orchestra student. 

Students, parents, and educators culminated their experience by attending a private awards ceremony at Disneyland Park where the following awards were received: 

Overall Awards

  • Festival Sweepstakes - Livermore High School Music Department

  • Instrumental Sweepstakes - Justin Enright, Livermore Instrumental Music

  • Outstanding Orchestra Group (Top Overall Orchestra Score) - Honors Chamber Orchestra

  • Outstanding Band Group (Top Overall Band Score) - Honors Jazz Band

Instrumental Awards

  • First Place Percussion Division - Concert Percussion Ensemble (Gold Award)

  • First Place Chamber Orchestra Division - Honors Chamber Orchestra (Gold Award)

  • First Place String Orchestra Division - String Orchestra (Gold Award)

  • First Place Jazz Band Division - Honors Jazz Band (Gold Award)

  • First Place Concert Band Division - Concert Band (Silver Award)

  • First Place Concert Band Division - Honors Symphonic Band (Gold Award)

Instrumental Adjudicator Awards (92 points or higher)

  • Honors Chamber Orchestra 

  • Percussion Ensemble 

  • Honors Jazz Band 1

  • Honors Symphonic Band 

Maestro Awards (Outstanding Solo Awards)

  • Tu Han Huynh (Vibes, Honors Jazz Band) 

  • Michael Zhang (Piano, Honors Chamber Orchestra)

  • Connor Chu (Tenor Sax, Honors Jazz Band)

  • CJ Scorsonelli (Bass Clarinet, Honors Symphonic Band)

  • Tanmay Patki (Vocalist, Honors Jazz Band)

  • Francis Nguyen (Pianist, Choir Accompanist, Honors Jazz Band) 

Choir Awards

  • Second Place Chamber Madrigal Division - Chamber Choir (Gold Award)

  • Second Place Mixed Choir Division - Mixed Choir (Gold Award) 

  • Adjudicator Award (95 points or higher) -  Livermore Choir Ensembles (Mixed and Chamber) 

"When you listen to their performances, it’s hard not to be blown away by the talent of our students. Livermore High has built an incredible music program, and the results of this competition are a reflection of the dedication, commitment, and strive for excellence that our music students and educators share,” expressed Superintendent Chris Van Schaack.

Upcoming opportunities to hear Livermore High music ensembles include band performances at the April 17th Livermore Valley Education Foundation (LVEF)  concert at Livermore High (and includes performances of all 91社区middle and high school bands); and their May 22nd spring concert at the Bankhead Theater featuring all LHS orchestra and band ensembles. More details are available on the Livermore High website.

Photos courtesy of LVJUSD

Livermore High music ensembles and educators after their big wins at the 2024 Worldstrides OnStage Heritage Festival.
Photo 1: Livermore High music ensembles and educators after their big wins at the 2024 Worldstrides OnStage Heritage Festival.  

Mr. Enright and Mr. Lodge capturing a selfie after being presented the Festival Sweepstakes top honor.
Photo 2: Mr. Enright and Mr. Lodge capturing a selfie after being presented the Festival Sweepstakes top honor. 

Livermore High students received six of eleven Maestro Awards given for outstanding solo performances.
Photo 3: Livermore High students received six of eleven Maestro Awards given for outstanding solo performances.