Waupaca High School’s Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble are leaving Thursday, April 12, for the school’s 11th appearance in the All-American Music Festivals of Orlando, Fla.
The Wind Ensemble will perform at 10:55 a.m. Saturday, April 14, at Olympia High School in Orlando as a competitor in Orlandofest. The Jazz Ensemble will perform on the same stage at 12:05 p.m.
Both groups will be competing in Class AA within their respective categories (concert band or jazz ensemble).
A panel of three judges will provide written and taped comments during the competition, followed by a clinic provided by one of the judges for each group.
Waupaca’s ensembles will be competing against schools of similar size (500-1000) for both a rating (Superior, Outstanding or Excellent) and a placement within that class (1st, 2nd or 3rd).
Both groups have the goal of receiving a 1st rating or a Superior (90-100 points on a 100-point scale) as well as finishing with a first place trophy in their class.
The band that achieves the highest score will receive an additional trophy during the awards ceremony that will be held at Islands of Adventure/Universal Studios.
Students will also visit Cocoa Beach for an afternoon of fun in the sun, as well as enjoy visits to several theme parks in the Orlando area, such as Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure and Disney’s the Magic Kingdom.
Both groups have worked hard to prepare for the competition and feel quite confident that they can bring home both first ratings and first-place finishes.
The group will return to Waupaca on Tuesday, April 17.