Jefferson High School Vocal Music brought home several awards at the 29th annual Martinsburg High School Concert and Show Choir festival on Feb. 24-25. On Friday night the Women’s Ensemble, “Bellissima” took first place and the JVM Concert Choir took second place, particularly notable because that choir includes every student in the vocal music program.

“It was an extraordinary weekend for Jefferson singers,” said Karma Wood, the school’s vocal music director. “I am so proud of all our choirs. They have been working hard for this all year and they really stepped it up when they took the stage this weekend.”

On Saturday, the “Pop Singers,” Jefferson’s show choir, placed second in their division and second overall out of 15 show choirs. It has been over 20 years since the Pop Singers placed in Martinsburg and their excellent showing was cause for great celebration. Judges chose Sierra Grabowska and Trey Floyd as the choir’s best performers, and a judge’s choice award for best small vocal ensemble was given to Danny Nowell, Lauren Baylor, Kailee Gallahan and Brandon Barker.

The Martinsburg festival was the kick-off for a busy schedule of concerts and competitions this spring, Wood said. Next, the Pop Singers traveled to Clover Hill High School in Midlothian, Va. on Mar. 10. They received second place in their division and sixth overall out of 14 choirs. The Pop Singer’s band received fourth place overall and Lena Camilletti was named best female vocalist of the Mixed Division. Trey Floyd and Sierra Grabowska were once again named the choir’s best performers.

The Pop Singers have one more competition left in their season at Amherst County High School in Amherst, Va. on March 24. In April the Concert Choir, the Women’s Ensemble and the Chamber Choir will travel to Atlanta, Georgia. Also in April, the Vocal Music Department will present its annual scholarship concert to support graduating seniors heading to college in the fall.

“I’m really excited for these students to have the opportunity to shine for our community,” said Wood. “The scholarship concert will bring three of the choirs together again on our home stage-it’s always a special event,” she said.

That concert will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 26 at Jefferson High School in Shenandoah Junction. Admission is $5 and all proceeds go toward the Harold Chamblin Memorial Scholarship. For more information, contact Wood at krwood@access.k12.wv.us.