BOARDMAN Orchestras win awards at festival

The groups will perform May 21 at Boardman High School.
BOARDMAN -- The Boardman High School Orchestras were awarded top honors at the Heritage International Music Competition in Boston, Mass., last month. Instrumental and vocal music groups from all over the United States and Canada participated in the festival.
The 136-member Boardman High School Symphony Orchestra was awarded a "Gold Medal" rating from the judges and an "Adjudicator's Award" trophy for having one of the highest combined scores of any groups at the competition.
The 41-member Chamber Orchestra was also awarded a "Gold Medal" rating. In addition, they were awarded the "Most Outstanding Orchestra Performance" trophy and an "Adjudicator's Award" trophy.
The 100-member Classical Orchestra continued its winning tradition with a "Silver Medal" rating.
About awards
Adjudicator Award trophies are not given out yearly. They are given only to groups that the judges believe should receive extra commendations for excellence. All three orchestras were cited when the Boardman Orchestras received their highest award, the "Instrumental Sweepstakes Championship" trophy.
The orchestra program in the Boardman Schools is directed by Frank Dispenza with assistance from Michele Vari and Ron Ryan. Student teacher is Suzanne Leyden.
While in Boston, orchestra members, directors and chaperones visited the Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall and attended a dinner dance on the tour boat "Spirit of Boston." They also toured the New England Aquarium and the Boston Science Museum and attended a performance of the "Blue Man Group" in downtown Boston.
The trip and competition were funded by families of orchestra members, the Boardman Band and Orchestra Parents Association and donations from the Boardman community.
The next regular concert of the Boardman High School Orchestras is 7 p.m. May 21 at the Boardman Performing Arts Center, Boardman High School. Music from the national competition will be performed. Featured senior soloists will be Rachel Frank, violist, and Scott Hunter, cellist. Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for students. Senior citizens and children are admitted free of charge.