Once again our talented high school musicians have been out doing us proud.
Under the direction of Richard McCready and Joseph Fischer, the River Hill High band, choir and guitar program performed at the World Heritage Music Festival in Orlando, Fla. The 121 kids and 16 chaperones filled three buses.
The guitar program won Gold in the Instrumental category. The Symphonic Wind ensemble won Gold First Place instrumental. The Jazz Collective composed of Atholton and River Hill students, won Gold First Place instrumental. The Jazz Band won the Adjudicators award instrumental.
Gold First Place choral and Concert Choir Gold Choral went to the RHHS Chamber Choir. Leading Ladies and Talon Tones both won Silver choral.
All those hours and hours of practice time really paid off. It sounds like River Hill swept the competition. They won Overall instrumental sweepstakes and Festival Sweepstakes for best overall program. Congratulations to all participants.
There were also individual soloist awards. Maestro awards went to Shelby Scott, Tolu Faderin, Ethan Farkas and Roger Mao. Way to go, kids.
Have you visited Belmont Manor and Historic Park? As an added enticement, they will offer free movies this summer. Maximum attendance is 300 so arrive early to explore the gardens and pick a spot on the lawn for a picnic supper with family and friends. The movie screen is behind Belmont Manor. Popcorn and water will be available for a small fee. The first show is "Mamma Mia" May 2 , 8 p.m. Call 410-313-0200 to check weather.
The Howard County Bird Club recently donated $1,300 to the Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks for "Pollinator Plots" in memory of former Bird Club Treasurer Emmalyn Holdridge. The plots are in the southwest corner of Centennail Park, a bird-watching "hot spot."
The Bird Club offers the public four free walks in Centennial Park on Sundays in March and November. You might want to note that on your calendar. To learn more about the group, go to http://www.howardbirds.org.
Student-directed shows will be presented one night only at Atholton High May 4, 7 p.m. Features include part of "Arms and the Man" by George Bernard Shaw directed by Meghana Singh, "All Out" by John Rester Zodrow directed by Emily Buckbinder, Anjali Mahadevia and Emily Smith, "The Great Senior Class Poe-a-thon" by David Rush directed by Gage Armstrong and Rebecca Keim and "Sure Think" by David Lives directed by Katie Monthie and Emma Patterson.
Now is the time to sign up for summer programs.
Atholton Athletic Boosters will hold sports camps for incoming third graders through incoming ninth graders. Register at http://www.atholtonboosters.org/athletics. To learn more call 410-313-7065 or contact elizabeth_defrances@hcpss.org.
River Hill Poms will host summer camp June 22-26 from 1 to 4 p.m. for first through eighth graders. Payment will be collected on the first day of camp. To register, send student's name and grade (Fall 2015), parents name and cell number and additional emergency contact info to rhhspoms@gmail.com.
Kids Camp Fulton runs June 22-July 31 at New Hope Adventist Church. To learn more call or text 410-541-NEWH (6394), email info@lookingforachurch.org or go to http://www.lookingforachurch.org.
Vacation Bible school at LInden-Linthicum United Methodist Church is July 12-16, 6-8:30 p.m. offers "Everest: Conquering Challenges with God's Mighty Power" for children ages 3 to fifth grade. Call 410-531-5653.
Hilltop Child Care's summer program, "Around the World" begins June 15. Registration is open for summer and fall programs. Go to http://www.HilltopChildCareCenter.com or call 443-535-8505 to learn more.