By Daily Press staff
A total of 118 students from four choirs representing Santa Monica High School recently returned from performing at a music festival in the Boston area, competing with 6 other schools from New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Texas.
Led by Christopher Rhodes, choral director at Samohi, and Cindy Bourquin, director of the Jazz choir, all four choirs (Samohi Chorale, Jazz Singers, Madrigals Ensemble and Chamber Singers) received Gold Medals for superior achievement at competition, held April 23-28.
Chamber Singers and Madrigals each received first place awards, chorale and Jazz ensembles received second place in their respective divisions. Sophomore Philene Lemmon received the Outstanding Jazz Soloist Award. Awards were presented on the Provincetown II, a ship that cruised Boston Harbor, providing nighttime views of Boston along with music provided by a D.J. as participants danced the evening away.
The trip was made possible exclusively through fundraising by parents and students. Group fundraising activities included gift wrap and candy sales, a silent auction and raffle, choir concerts, Cafe Samo (an annual evening cabaret run solely by students).
For more information, or to make donations to the choral program, contact Rhodes at 395-3204, ext. 173.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 26, 2003. Read the original PDF.