High School Music Group Wins Awards

Days after receiving awards at the Dixie Classic Music Festival in Virginia Beach, Va., musicians from Ventura High School still can’t contain their excitement.

Karen Magoon, who plays the piccolo, received the best all-around soloist award--the most coveted award in last weekend’s competition.

“I would say the most memorable part of the competition was the performance,” said the 16-year-old, downplaying the award. “This was only the third time I’ve played in music competition since I began studying music. Everyone did so well and all the soloists were so good. I was so proud of our band’s performance. Winning the award as soloist was icing on the cake.”

The Ventura High wind ensemble was named the best in its category and was given a superior rating by the competition judges.

Describing the musical ensemble as “mystical and exciting,” judges awarded the band for having the best brass and percussion sections. They also had encouraging words for the ensemble’s flute and clarinet sections, and said the whole ensemble had excellent pitch, articulation, beat and rhythmic clarity.

Michael Takasano, musical director, said the most memorable part of the competition was the warm feeling he had when band members from other states gave his students standing ovations.