On Saturday, June 1, local students from St. Anne School in Laguna Niguel competed in the Music in the Parks Festival in Placentia, Calif. 35 concert bands, jazz bands, choirs, and orchestras from schools as far as El Paso, Texas and Portland, Oregon gathered for the annual competition and festival.
St. Anne School’s Blue Knights Orchestra claimed first place in Middle School Division and the elementary Crusaders Orchestra took second place in the Elementary Orchestra Division against the talented competition.
“Although we've participated before at other competitions, this is a great victory to our program, our students, and all our staff who have helped promote and sustain our music program,” says Micaela Johnson, St. Anne School music teacher. “It takes a lot of effort to play an instrument, much like a sport, where you are utilizing muscles you have never used before, developing your ear for pitch, and translating a new language.”
Ten percent of St. Anne students currently participate in the orchestra programs from third to eighth grades. The programs not only teach students to perform a range of classical pieces along with a variety of film music, rock, and jazz, but also the business sides of music, music history, music theory, and music technology.
About St. Anne School
St. Anne School is an independent Catholic school located in Laguna Niguel, Calif. The school fosters the intellectual and character development of more than 800 students in grades preschool through eight, providing unparalleled academics and extracurricular activities designed to challenge, educate and nurture the whole child. Founded in 1992, St. Anne School is a National Blue Ribbon School and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), the Western Catholic Education Association (WCEA), and the National Association of the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). www.st-anne.org
