HCA Band Students Earn Top Honors at Festival

HCA band students Lemuel Vera, Abel Fredrickson, Deklan McCurdy, Evelyn Bumgardner, Kensi Rihanek, and Millie McPike all received gold ratings. Photograph submitted

By Anna Swartzentruber

Students in the Heartland Christian Academy sixth and seventh grade band program achieved exceptional success at the Monroe City Junior High Band Festival, earning top ratings across the board and bringing home the highest honors.

All students received Gold ratings on both their solo performances and full band pieces, demonstrating a high level of musical skill, preparation, and dedication. Gold ratings represent outstanding achievement and reflect excellence in tone, rhythm, and overall performance quality.

In addition to the group’s success, three HCA students—Millie McPike, Evelyn Bumgardner, and Deklan McCurdy—received the prestigious Platinum Award at the Band Festival. This award is given to only a select few performers in each solo room and represents the highest distinction awarded by judges.

Band Director Eliza Bock reported, “The students earned this recognition after being evaluated alongside musicians from several different schools. Judges selected them as the top performers of the day in their category, highlighting their exceptional musicianship and performance ability and dedication to hard work practicing their solo selections. It was evident that they had put in the work.”

The accomplishments of these young musicians reflect not only their individual hard work, but also the strength of the HCA band program under Mrs. Bock. Congratulations to all HCA band students on an outstanding performance and a memorable achievement.