TURNER – Performing groups from the Leavitt Area High School Music Department traveled to New York City on April 12 to 15 where they performed in the Heritage Music Festival held in historic Riverside Church.

Performing were the concert band, the concert chorus, the percussion ensemble and the vocal jazz choir, “Hornets in Harmony.” Each group performed for a panel of three judges and received ratings for their appearances.

The concert choir and the percussion ensemble received silver medals in recognition of excellent performances. The concert band and Hornets in Harmony received bronze medals for good performances.

The students had rehearsed their selections for months in advance of the festival. Penny Appleby conducted the vocal groups and William Buzza led the instrumental groups.

While at the festival, the students heard ensembles representing schools from across the country.

The students saw a Broadway show, “The Producers,” and visited the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the site of the former World Trade Center, Times Square, Rockefeller Center, President Grant’s Tomb and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.