Some students spent this year’s Spring Break at the beach, but members of the Leesville Symphonic Band packed up their instruments and traveled to Washington, D.C. to perform in the President’s Cup National High School Concert Band Festival.
The band excelled against the competition at the President’s Cup. Leesville garnered a second place finish against a field that included other talented high school bands from around the country.
But the group didn’t just compete while on their visit to the nation’s capital. During the five-day-long trip, the symphonic band attended various band and music classes, as well as toured many of D.C.’s most notable sites, including the Smithsonian, Washington Monument, and the Arlington National Cemetery. Leesville students even relished the opportunity to listen to the United States Army Band perform, one of the most prestigious bands in the country.
Students believed that taking the trip to D.C. was very beneficial, including Jiovanni Ortiz, junior member of Symphonic Band. “It was a pretty great experience,” said Ortiz.
Members of the Symphonic Band just appreciated having the chance to compete at the President’s Cup and listen to other high school bands. But for Ortiz, coming away with second place finish was the icing on the cake.
“To be recognized as one of the best bands in the nation was a really amazing experience,” said Ortiz.
