This November, the marching band took home several awards, while sophomore Kaya Robinson earned a spot on the All South Jersey Regional Choir
November brought good fortune to Palmyra High School’s music department, which saw milestones in both marching band and chorus.
The hours of practice at band camp over this past summer, in addition to the two nights a week the marching band meets during the school year, paid off at the Vineland Cavalcade of Bands Competition on Nov. 4.
Going against nine other bands in a crowded field, the PHS marching band put on its best performance of 2017, taking home a second-place title and a score of 86.4, one of the highest in school history. It also won an award for Most Improved.
Director Jeff Moore said the band worked tirelessly to put on The Escape, a performance centered around the concept of a wrongfully accused prisoner.
“During the whole show, we worked on building a pathway for the prisoner to escape. That theme, along with getting that portrayed on the field, was probably the most intricate that we’ve ever done in terms of a show,” Moore said. “I think it came out really well.”
If the second-place win wasn’t enough, the band’s Nov. 11 performance at the All-States Regional Championship in Allentown, Pa., brought it to №5 in the Cavalcade of Bands Independence Class. Moore thanked his drum majors, Mattie Wentz and Evelin Morales-Sanchez, drum captain Will Jablonski, and color guard captains Shyla Bell and Cayenne Sims, for their hard work.
“All of these students are ones that the band look up to. They assist my band staff whenever necessary,” he added.
Sophomore Kaya Robinson, a member of the PHS choir, earned the distinct honor of singing with the All-South Jersey Regional Choir. Robinson competed against about 90 other students from across South Jersey for a spot.
Robinson, who said she has loved to sing for as long as she can remember, has been a strong asset to the PHS choir. Moore said many of her fellow choir members look to her for guidance when singing their lines.
“It’s a great accomplishment for her, as she will now get a chance to sing with a much larger group that will split into up to eight parts,” Moore said. “The experience will help her, but also the school group as she will bring back experiences to share with the group that should inspire some of them to want to audition in the future.”
The grueling audition process for the regional choir tested Robinson’s nerves, especially after not making the cut for last year’s Junior All-South Jersey Regional Choir. She said with all the other talented high school students auditioning that day, the anticipation had her trembling in the car ride over.
“In the end, I said a little prayer, and it was all OK,” Robinson said. “After not making it last year, the feeling is so much sweeter this year. I’m just excited to meet other kids who love singing as much as I do and enjoy every minute of this experience!”
