Pictured above is the Lake Shore Music Department.

ANGOLA – Recently, the Lake Shore Music Department traveled to Orlando, Florida to participate in OrlandoFest!, a national music festival where music programs from across the country compete against one another. The music tour took place from April 3 through April 8 and included band, chorus, and for the first time, orchestra.

On route to Orlando, the Music Department stopped to take a tour of the University of Florida and even had a chance to sit in on collegiate rehearsals.

During their stay in Orlando, students were able to participate in two educational workshops focusing on S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Science) that were based on two of the attractions at Universal Studios. Students had an opportunity to learn about the Transformers and Skull Island the Reign of Kong and how the ride operates using coordinate systems, plot vectors, and the six degrees of freedom. Students also were able to attend a Blue Man Group Concert and enjoy the Al Capone’s dinner theatre.

Music Department students also had the opportunity to participate in Universal Orlando Youth STARS Performance Program “Sound Design: Music and the Art of Foley” workshop. There they recorded music for “Despicable Me” and “The Lorax” and also had an opportunity to put their music to the movies. Several students were selected to do voice over work and sound effects for the characters in the movie. The final product was a DVD recording with our students’ voices and music with scenes from the original motion pictures.

All three ensembles, Symphonic Band, Mixed Chorus, and Symphonic Orchestra competed on Saturday, April 6, and all three ensembles placed first in each of their divisions. The band also won Overall Grand Champion with the highest score, and senior-trumpet player Gary Colson, won Top Instrumental Soloist at the festival.

This is the tenth music tour that the department planned by the high school music department, and the first tour that included all three genres: chorus, orchestra, and band.