◆ Archer Dugan was awarded Outstanding Instrumental Soloist at Music in the Parks.

Photos provided by SVHS Music Department – 

Star Valley High School music students attended the Southwest District Music Festival in Evanston and the Music in the Parks Festival in Syracuse, Utah last week.

Orchestra and Band groups received all superior ratings.

“This was truly a Superior week for the band program,” shared SVHS Band Director Kurt Sand in an email with SVI News.

“Concert and Jazz bands were rated Superior by the judges at district music festival in Evanston on Thursday.

“We really stretched ourselves with some difficult music and they rose to the occasion and played it beautifully!”

Flute soloists Grace Morrison, a freshman, and Shelby Kisling, a sophomore, performed on Friday in Evanston and were rated Superior.

Jazz Band then traveled to Syracuse HS in Utah to perform in the Music in the Parks Festival and were rated Superior for their performance on Saturday.

Archer Dugan, a junior, was recognized as the Outstanding Instrumental Soloist for the Festival.

That was for his wonderful solos on the Jazz band’s piece “Sing, Sing, Sing.”

Lisa Barber, who serves as Orchestra Director at SVHS shared the following with SVI News.

“Concert Orchestra and Chamber orchestra both received Superior ratings at Southwest District Music Festival with Chamber Orchestra receiving a perfect score from one of the adjudicators.”

“Clinicians responded very positively to the orchestras, “especially noting the professional level of music Chamber Orchestra played and how well they played it! I am so proud of our kids! We really stretched ourselves with some difficult music and they rose to the occasion and played it beautifully!”

SVHS Choirs also attended the festivals, but results were not available by press time.