The King Philip middle school and high school band, chorus and concert band programs took home several top honors at the recent Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association (MICCA) Choral and Concert Festivals.

The statewide festival was held on April 1-3 at various high schools across the state, including King Philip Regional High School. Approximately 100 bands and orchestra school ensembles and 80 chorus ensembles participated in this year’s event.

Of those that participated, 75 King Philip Regional High School students competed in the band, 20 KPRHS students participated in the percussion ensemble, 30 KPRHS students participated in the choir, 90 King Philip Regional Middle School students participated in the band and 45 KPRMS students participated in the chorus.

As part of the festival, the different student groups from King Philip performed different pieces. The high school percussion ensemble performed Bailando la Soca by Julie Davila, Letter from Home by Pat Metheny and “Little” Fugue in G Minor by J.S. Bach; the high school band performed First Suite in Eb Mvt III by Gustav Holst, Variations on America by Charles Ives and Of Our New Day Begun by Omar Thomas; and the high school chorus performed Elijah Rock by Jester Hairston, A Gaelic Blessing by John Rutter and Nelly Bly by Stephen Foster.

The middle school choral program performed Dodi Li arranged by Doreen Rao, Natsu No Yo Wa by Ruth Morris Gray and Exultate by Mark Burrows; and the middle school band performed March of the Irish Guard by James Ployhar, All the Pretty Little Horses by Anne McGinty and Cascade Festival Overture by Mark Williams.

The King Philip groups received the following honors for their performances:

• KPRHS Concert Band - Gold Medal

• KPRHS Concert Choir - Silver Medal

• KPRHS Percussion Ensemble - Gold Medal

• KPRMS Chorus - Gold Medal

• KPRMS Band - Gold Medal

In addition to performing, numerous KP students volunteered at the MICCA festival on both Friday and Saturday to help other bands from around the state with their performances.

MICCA encourages and supports the development of elementary, middle and high school performing ensembles. The festival also included marching band, solo and ensemble performances, all of which were judged by highly qualified adjudicators. The King Philip Regional High School band and percussion ensemble have been participating in the concert festival since 1990 and the chorus since 1998. The middle school band has been participating since 1998 and the chorus has been participating since 2005.

The KP Winter Guard also capped off their undefeated season after they received first place in their Division at the New England Scholastic Band Association (NESBA) Winter Guard Finals held at Salem High School on Saturday, April 2.