04/24/13 On Saturday, March 20, the PHS Orchestra, under the direction of Mrs. Jodi Kallenberg, made their first-ever appearance at the annual Indiana State School Music Association’s Organization Contest for concert bands, orchestras, and choirs.

Due to the PHS Orchestra becoming a full year course offering this year, the ensemble was able to prepare for and compete in the event. The orchestra received an overall Gold Award rating and an additional Gold rating in the sight-reading division.

On Friday, March 19, 2013, the PHS Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Mr. Bryan Ames, also gave outstanding performances at the ISSMA contest.

Both PHS bands came home with Gold Award ratings on their performance and in sight-reading. But, the most impressive part of the performance was both bands scoring nearly perfect scores overall. Both bands qualified for the “With Distinction Award” only given to the top scoring bands. The PHS Symphonic Band had 1 perfect score, 1 score that was 1/2 of a point from perfect, and 1 score that was a point from perfect. The Wind Ensemble received 2 perfect scores and one score that was 2 points from perfect. Both bands will be among a small handful of schools across the state to earn the “With Distinction” title and this was the first time the PHS bands have been awarded this honor.

With these Gold Awards, the PHS Band will be the recipient of the state’s prestigious “All-Music Award” given to less than 10% of the competing schools in the state. Only the schools that receive Gold ratings at every ISSMA event (marching band, jazz band, concert band and state finals solo and ensemble contest) qualify for this award. This will be PHS’s 10th consecutive year for the band to receive this award and Plymouth is only of only a few schools in the state to have received this award annually for this length of time!

Congratulations to all of the students in the band and orchestra on their outstanding presentations at the ISSMA competition this past weekend! You represented our school and community with class!