Akron High School’s Concert Band, Orchestra, and Varsity Chorale traveled to Washington, DC for the Heritage Festival and Music Competition April 3 – 6, 2025. Akron Schools Music Directors Mrs. Meghen Pitts, Mr. Brendon Bardo, Mrs. Courtney Sanville, and Miss Christina Komosinski, led the group of 100 students, who in addition to participating in the music competition, took in the sights of the nation’s capital.
The sightseeing highlights included The White House, The Capital Building, an Illuminated Monuments Tour, the Smithsonian Natural History Museum and the National Air and Space Museum. They also were thoroughly entertained at a musical production of Sister Act in the historic Ford’s Theater.
Each ensemble had the opportunity to perform and work with a college professor from American University at master classes. The Varsity Chorale sang inside the most beautiful venue, National City Christian Church. The Band and Orchestra took the stage of Lightridge High School, the host of the instrumental portion of the Heritage Festival.
All three ensembles took Gold for their respective categories. The Band and Orchestra took home an additional award for the highest combined instrumental ensemble score of the festival.
Junior Whitley Koopman, an accomplished percussionist at Akron High School, was nominated for and awarded the Ovation Award, which recognizes a student who best represents the spirit of determination, inspiration, and service to others, through their contributions to their school’s music program.
The students were treated to a special evening of celebration to conclude the trip. The Awards Gala welcomed students on a red carpet and they finished the event dancing the night away with 500 high school musicians from all over the country who participated in the festival.
“It was an incredibly memorable trip for all and everyone is grateful for the wonderful opportunity,” remarked one of the organizers.
