Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington recently sent 83 students in choir, band and orchestra to compete nationally in Orlando, Fla., against peers from other high schools.
The choral groups performed in a church while the band and orchestra performed at Universal Theme Park in the space where the Blue Man Group previously drew crowds.
Senior choir member Olivia Hart said that O’Connell competed against 13 other schools, each with one to four choirs, for the March 24 competition.
O’Connell’s orchestra won first place and the ensemble received the Adjudicator’s Award and the Outstanding Group Award.
Senior orchestra member Rian Klanderman was thrilled with the experience. “I couldn’t stop smiling,” she said. “We ran out of the park with the trophies screaming, ‘We won!’ ”
O’Connell singers also won first place and the men’s choir, women’s camerata and chamber singers all won second place. The concert band and jazz band both came in second place. Sydney Smith, a senior choir member, received the Ovation Award for outstanding solo contribution.
