The Ballard High School Concert Choir, Treble Choir and String Orchestra performed at the Vancouver Heritage Music Festival last weekend and each group won a Gold Rating from the nine judges.

Schools from California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Alberta competed and the Ballard High Music Department, led by Courtney Rowley and Michael James, won the Festival Sweepstakes Award for having the highest scores out of all schools in attendance.

Several group and individual awards were also received:

- Concert Choir – Gold Rating and 2nd place in the 3A Concert Choir Division
- Treble Choir – Gold Rating and 2nd place in the 3A Women’s Choir Division
- Orchestra – Gold Rating and 1st place in the 3A String Orchestra Division
- Orchestra – Adjudicators Award
- Orchestra – Best Overall Orchestra
- Orchestra – Maestro Award to violin soloist Eva Gaertner-Johnston

Next week, the music department will show off their talent to a local audience at the Spring 2011 Music Concerts at the Earl Kelly Performing Arts Center at Ballard High School.

Under the musical leadership of Mr. Michael James, the symphonic band, the orchestra, jazz band I and jazz band II, wind ensemble and the percussion section will perform on Tuesday, June 7 at 7 p.m.

At 7 p.m. on Thursday June 9, the choral concert will be conducted by Ms. Courtney Rowley. The concert will feature the talents of the concert choir, the vocal jazz ensemble, the women’s chamber choir, the treble choir and the men’s ensemble for the last performances of the school year.

There is a suggested donation of $5 at the door to support the music department.

For more information, visit www.ballardbeavers.org/music/.