On April 25th, the Symphonic Orchestra and Symphony Band left their usual classrooms for the annual band and orchestra trip. The first stop was a clinic at Rutgers University, then bowling, arcade games, and laser tag to close out the day.

The main event, however, came the next day, where both the band and the orchestra played at Music in the Parks, a competition where ensembles from across districts and states compete for the prize of best ensemble in their category. Both groups’ exceptional performances earned them not only the win in their respective categories (high school division AA orchestra and high school division AA band), but also the overall band and orchestra prizes, across all divisions and levels. This is a repeat result for the orchestra, who went home with the trophy last year as well.

The second part of Music in the Parks is a day in an amusement park, in this case Six Flags, which culminates in an outdoor awards ceremony. Unfortunately, the skies opened up and drenched all the students, but sophomore Mahi Ayesha didn’t let that get in the way of her fun. “The rides were really fun,” she said, adding that she enjoyed the beautiful views and “had an overall amazing experience despite the rain.”

On Sunday, both groups woke up early in the morning to depart for Philadelphia. They started at the Franklin Institute, a science museum known for its interactive exhibits and engaging displays. The next stop was the Reading Terminal Market, one of America’s largest and oldest public markets. Here, students were allowed to explore the numerous food vendors and experience the culture of Philadelphia through diverse food and delicious Philly cheesesteaks. To wrap up the trip, the band and orchestra attended a Philadelphia Orchestra concert at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. The weekend finished with two hours on the buses as the two groups headed back home to the high school, exhausted but satisfied with the successful trip.