At the Music in The Parks Disneyland Festival on April 16-17, thousands of junior high and high school musicians and vocalists came together to perform and compete against each other. Some traveled from states as far as Missouri, Utah and Washington.

Those student musicians were some of the most talented in the country, who came to try and win recognition for their hard work. Valencia High School's band, a combination of both Valencia's symphonic band and the wind ensemble conducted by Mark Judd, participated in this event.

"I think we did very well," said Sophia Chavez, a clarinetist in the Valencia High School ensemble. "I was proud of our ranking and I really enjoyed the experience of participating In the Music in the Parks Festival."

She wasn't the only one who thought Valencia High School did well. The band was awarded an "excellent" rating and won first place.

Not only was this an amazing experience for the Valencia band as a music ensemble, it was an amazing experience where students from the Valencia and also Rio Norte Junior High School intermediate and advanced band, led by Jeffrey Gilbert, could bond and meet future fellow musicians.

Of the two bands from Rio Norte, the intermediate band consisting of seventh-grade students scored an "excellent" rating and won first place in their division. The advanced band scored a "superior" rating and ranked second at the competition. Throughout the two days of the trip, both schools spent most of their time together.

Gaby Markley is a former Rio Norte Junior High School student.