Whiz Kids: Samohi Orchestra Program Adds More Trophies to Its Shelf

It's the same old song for 's Orchestra Program: another festival, another set of accolades.

This time, the school drew honors at the San Francisco Bay Area Heritage Festival on May 31. The Samohi Philharmonic Orchestra earned first place, and a Gold Rating to boot, in the festival competition's Full Orchestra category.

The orchestra also received a first-place honor as the best instrumental group at the festival. Furthermore, the Philharmonic nabbed the Adjudicator Award. The prize is given to orchestras that notch a score of 92 or more from the three adjudicators; the orchestra received two 96 ratings and a 95.

Meanwhile, Sarve-Naz Sarvian won a prized individual honor: the Maestro Award. 

The victories follow in the wake of the Symphony and Chamber Orchestras' spring sweep at the All-Southern California Heritage Festival in Anaheim, where they won the Instrumental Sweepstakes Award, the Outstanding Orchestra Group and Adjudicator's Awards. At that festival, the Maestro Award went to Clara Lysy and Evan Kahn, while Keonjik Lee landed the Celebrate You Award.

Samohi's Orchestra Program features six orchestras and provides orchestral instruction to 400-plus students. On Saturday, musicians from the orchestras will perform their annual Senior Gala from 6 to 8 p.m. in Barnum Hall. Tickets are $10, half as much for seniors and students. Go here for more info about the event.