Music Program Claims Victories in Nashville
On Wednesday March 19th 2025, the Leonia High School Music Department went on their annual music trip to Nashville, Tennessee. This year, the Leonia High School music department has not only grown in numbers, but grown in musical excellence and students’ consistent dedication. All of the select ensembles including orchestra, band, and choir ensembles, have had so many exciting things going on this year but nothing like the excitement of this music trip.
The music department had so much talent on this trip but one in particular, Senior Maximus Shami, has been an integral part in this department and on the trips. Seeing that this is his last year, Max says, “It’s bittersweet that I am graduating but to be honest I am really happy that I got to experience the music trip these last four years and I am thinking that this has been the best music trip because of all of the amazing things we had going on during the 5 days.” The music department is going to truly miss all of the graduating seniors but hopes that wherever the next chapter is for them, it will be filled with music in their lives.
This year, at the WorldStrides Performing Arts festival, the department won Gold 1st place for the treble choir, Vox Angelica, Gold 1st Place for Concert Choir, Gold 1st place for Chamber Choir, and Silver for the tenor/bass choir, Voix Celeste. The department also won Gold for the Jazz Ensemble, Silver 3rd place for Concert Band, Silver 1st place for Symphonic Band, and Silver 1st place for Orchestra. As well as receiving the awards for the select ensembles, Leonia was blessed with receiving 5 out of 6 Maestro awards, which are awards handed out to particular students who capture the judges attention and stand out in their individual performance. The recipients of these awards were freshman Kayla Wang, sophomore Nicolas Park, sophomore Lena Frost, junior Kennedy Meals, and senior Kelly Lim. The department has so much talent and so much to offer the world in their lives after high school.
The Music Department’s success can be attributed to the dedication and coordination of the LHS Music Teachers: Mr. Kerry Dunn (Choir), Mr. Anthony Penn (Band) , and Mr. Michael Holak (Orchestra).
Congratulations to the music program on your amazing accomplishments!
