Achievements and Recognition
The WES instrumental music program strives for achievement that brings pride to our school community. The following events, achievements, and press coverage highlight some of the great things that have taken place in our program. Without our dedicated students, none of this would be possible. (Note: Some of the links to media articles may be expired.)
2022-2023
Music In The Parks - Hershey: The 5th Grade Intermediate Band and 5th Grade Intermediate Orchestra performed at "Music In The Parks" in Hershey, PA on June 2. The Intermediate Band received 1st place in the Elementary Concert Band Class A division, and the Intermediate Orchestra received 1st place in the Elementary String Orchestra Class A division. Both ensembles earned ratings of "Superior." Additionally, Westminster Elementary earned the "Esprit de Corps" for the fourth time in school history. This award is given to one school regardless of grade level for displaying professionalism on and off stage, an exemplary attitude of positive support, and outstanding personal behavior throughout the festival.
NAMM Best Communities in Music Education: Carroll County Public Schools was named as one of the 2023 "Best Communities for Music Education" by the NAMM Foundation. This was the seventh year in a row that CCPS had received this recognition.
2021-2022
Music In The Parks - Hershey: After a two year hiatus from traveling, the 5th Grade Intermediate Full Orchestra performed at "Music In The Parks" in Hershey. This is the first time WES instrumental music had performed as a full orchestra (combined strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion) in an adjudication. The orchestra received 1st place in the Class A Elementary Full Orchestra Division with a rating of "Superior."
NAMM Best Communities in Music Education: Carroll County Public Schools was named as one of the 2022 "Best Communities for Music Education" by NAMM Foundation. This was the sixth year in a row that CCPS had received this recognition.
2020-2021
Virtual EPN Adjudication: The 5th Grade Intermediate Band and Orchestra each performed in a virtual adjudication for Educational Programs Network. Performances were recorded at WES and submitted electronically for adjudication and feedback. Both ensembles received split Superior and Excellent rating from the adjudicators, with a final overall rating of "Excellent".
NAMM Best Communities in Music Education: Carroll County Public Schools was named as one of the 2021 "Best Communities for Music Education" by NAMM Foundation. This was the fifth year in a row that CCPS had received this recognition.
2019-2020
NAMM Best Communities in Music Education: Carroll County Public Schools was named as one of the 2020 "Best Communities for Music Education" by NAMM Foundation. This was the fourth year in a row that CCPS had received this recognition.
We learned from home for three months. We lost all of our end of year events. Our 4th grade only performed in their winter concert, and the final 5th grade concert was the Westminster Region Side By Side Concert. Why is this part under "Achievements"? Because we still learned and grew despite the obstacles. And as we read back on this page in future years, it's important to remember that personal growth during inopportune times is an achievement within itself.
2018-2019
Music In The Parks - Hershey: The WES 5th Grade instrumental ensembles performed at "Music In The Parks" in Hershey, PA on May 31. The WES 5th Grade Orchestra received 1st place in the Class A Elementary String Orchestra division with a rating of "Excellent." The WES 5th Grade Band received 1st place in the Class A Elementary Concert Band division with a rating of "Excellent".
NAMM Best Communities in Music Education: Carroll County Public Schools was named as one of the 2019 "Best Communities for Music Education" by NAMM Foundation. This was the third year in a row that CCPS had received this recognition.
2017-2018
Music In The Parks - Hershey: The WES 5th Grade instrumental ensembles performed at "Music In The Parks" in Hershey, PA on June 1. The WES 5th Grade Orchestra received 1st place in the Class A Elementary String Orchestra division with a rating of "Superior." The WES 5th Grade Band received 1st place in the Class A Elementary Concert Band division with a rating of "Excellent".
NAMM Best Communities in Music Education: Carroll County Public Schools was named as one of the 2018 "Best Communities for Music Education" by NAMM Foundation. This was the second year in a row that CCPS had received this recognition.
Westminster Region Side By Side Concert: The Carroll County Times covered the annual Westminster Region Side By Side Concert. This concert features 5th grade students from WES, Friendship Valley Elementary, and Mechanicsville Elementary, 7th grade students from West Middle, and the Honors Orchestra and Wind Ensemble from Westminster High School. The story can be found here.
2016-2017
Music In The Parks: The WES 5th Grade Intermediate instrumental ensembles performed in "Music In The Parks" on June 2, 2017. Both the 5th Grade Intermediate Band and 5th Grade Intermediate Orchestra received 1st place in their divisions with ratings of "Excellent," also receiving the awards for Top Overall Elementary Concert Band and Top Overall Elementary String Orchestra, respectively. Westminster Elementary School also received the "Esprit de Corps" award, given to one school regardless of grade level for sportsmanship, social behavior, and musical behavior, on and off stage. This was the third time in four years that WES had received this award.
NAMM Best Communities in Music Education: Carroll County Public Schools was named as one of the 2017 "Best Communities for Music Education" by NAMM Foundation. The complete list from the NAMM foundation can be foud here. The news release from CCPS can be found here.
2015-2016
Music In The Parks: The WES 5th Grade Intermediate Band and Intermediate Orchestra performed in "Music In The Parks" on June 3, 2016, in Hershey, PA. Both ensembles placed 1st in their divisons, and both received ratings of "Excellent". Westminster Elementary School also received the "Esprit de Corps" award, given to one school regardless of grade level for sportsmanship, social behavior, and musical behavior. This was the second time in three years that WES received had this award.
2014-2015
Music In The Parks: The WES 5th Grade Intermediate Band and Orchestra performed in "Music In The Parks" on May 29, 2015 in Hershey, PA. The 5th Grade Orchestra earned 2nd place in the Elementary Orchestra Class A division with a rating of "Superior". The 5th Grade Band earned 1st place in the Elementary Concert Band Class A division with a rating of "Excellent", scoring only .25 of a point away from a "Superior" rating. The 5th grade band also received the award for the Highest Overall Elementary Concert band.
http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/ph-ph-h-ph-cc-musical-westelem-jpg-20150625-photo.html
2013-2014
Music In The Parks: The WES 5th Grade Intermediate Band and Orchestra performed in "Music In The Parks" on May 30, 2014 in Hershey, PA. The 5th Grade Orchestra earned 1st place in the Class A Elementary String Orchestra division with a rating of "Excellent". The 5th Grade Band earned 2nd place in the Class A Elementary Concert Band division with a rating of "Good". The WES ensembles also won the "Esprit De Corps" award, which is awarded to only one school based on behavior and sportsmanship demonstrated at the festival.
http://www.carrollk12.org/about/news/release/1201
After School Strings Program: We were fortunate to have former WES Student Zoe Kempf-Harris teach an After School Strings Program in 2013-2014. Zoe was a six-year member of the Maryland All State Orchestra and the assistant concertmistress for the Peabody Youth Orchestra. The Carroll County Times covered the program in this story.
http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/local/peabody-student-westminster-alumna-teaches-music-students-proper-way-to/article_74462f8d-f195-5e92-8ae8-9c546d342b55.html
2012-2013
Music In The Parks: The 5th Grade Intermediate Band and Intermediate Orchestra became the first WES ensembles to perform in adjudicated performances in "Music In The Parks" on May 31, 2013, in Hershey, PA. The orchestra received a rating of "Good" and the Band received a rating of "Excellent," both earning 1st place finishes in the Elementary Class A division.
Gamday Battle Premiere and Publication: The WES 5th Grade Intermediate Band premiered Gameday Battle by Mark Lortz on the May spring concert. It was accepted for national publication by FJH Music in June 2013 and was released in Summer 2014.
2011-2012
Westminster Region Side By Side Concert: 5th grade instrumentalists from WES joined 5th grade instrumentalists from Friendship Valley, Mechanicsville, and Sandymount Elementary Schools along with with 8th grade instrumentalist from West Middle and instrumentalists from Westminster High School in the 4th annual Westminster Region Side By Side Concert. Over 300 students total participate in the event. This story was featured in the Feb. 14 edition of the Westminster Advocate.
http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/advocate_of_westminster/news/concert-promotes-retention-in-school-music-programs/article_451ad9d9-b52a-505b-affd-4ade421e1ca9.html
Caryn Lin String Workshop: Freelance electric violinist Caryn Lin came to WES on Dec. 21 to give a string performance and workshop to some of the 4th and 5th grade string students. The Carroll County Times was gracious enough to do a story (front page!) on Caryn's visit.
http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/local/electric-violinist-has-string-clinic-with-students/article_8600c281-b966-57d8-924e-07dd7b2bbc7f.html
5th grade band and orchestra Santa's House Performance: The 5th grade band and orchestra performed in downtown Westminster on Dec. 17 at "Santa's House." The Westminster Advocate featured our students in the preparation leading up to this public performance.
http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/advocate_of_westminster/news/middle-schoolers-play-holiday-concert/article_7dbe18c8-2599-11e1-8e50-0019bb2963f4.html?mode=story
2010-2011
The 2011 Westminster Region Side By Side Concert: This annual event was covered by the Westminster Patch
http://westminster.patch.com/articles/students-from-elementary-middle-and-high-school-work-together-to-put-on-a-top-notch-concert#video-4940127
2022-2023
Music In The Parks - Hershey: The 5th Grade Intermediate Band and 5th Grade Intermediate Orchestra performed at "Music In The Parks" in Hershey, PA on June 2. The Intermediate Band received 1st place in the Elementary Concert Band Class A division, and the Intermediate Orchestra received 1st place in the Elementary String Orchestra Class A division. Both ensembles earned ratings of "Superior." Additionally, Westminster Elementary earned the "Esprit de Corps" for the fourth time in school history. This award is given to one school regardless of grade level for displaying professionalism on and off stage, an exemplary attitude of positive support, and outstanding personal behavior throughout the festival.
NAMM Best Communities in Music Education: Carroll County Public Schools was named as one of the 2023 "Best Communities for Music Education" by the NAMM Foundation. This was the seventh year in a row that CCPS had received this recognition.
2021-2022
Music In The Parks - Hershey: After a two year hiatus from traveling, the 5th Grade Intermediate Full Orchestra performed at "Music In The Parks" in Hershey. This is the first time WES instrumental music had performed as a full orchestra (combined strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion) in an adjudication. The orchestra received 1st place in the Class A Elementary Full Orchestra Division with a rating of "Superior."
NAMM Best Communities in Music Education: Carroll County Public Schools was named as one of the 2022 "Best Communities for Music Education" by NAMM Foundation. This was the sixth year in a row that CCPS had received this recognition.
2020-2021
Virtual EPN Adjudication: The 5th Grade Intermediate Band and Orchestra each performed in a virtual adjudication for Educational Programs Network. Performances were recorded at WES and submitted electronically for adjudication and feedback. Both ensembles received split Superior and Excellent rating from the adjudicators, with a final overall rating of "Excellent".
NAMM Best Communities in Music Education: Carroll County Public Schools was named as one of the 2021 "Best Communities for Music Education" by NAMM Foundation. This was the fifth year in a row that CCPS had received this recognition.
2019-2020
NAMM Best Communities in Music Education: Carroll County Public Schools was named as one of the 2020 "Best Communities for Music Education" by NAMM Foundation. This was the fourth year in a row that CCPS had received this recognition.
We learned from home for three months. We lost all of our end of year events. Our 4th grade only performed in their winter concert, and the final 5th grade concert was the Westminster Region Side By Side Concert. Why is this part under "Achievements"? Because we still learned and grew despite the obstacles. And as we read back on this page in future years, it's important to remember that personal growth during inopportune times is an achievement within itself.
2018-2019
Music In The Parks - Hershey: The WES 5th Grade instrumental ensembles performed at "Music In The Parks" in Hershey, PA on May 31. The WES 5th Grade Orchestra received 1st place in the Class A Elementary String Orchestra division with a rating of "Excellent." The WES 5th Grade Band received 1st place in the Class A Elementary Concert Band division with a rating of "Excellent".
NAMM Best Communities in Music Education: Carroll County Public Schools was named as one of the 2019 "Best Communities for Music Education" by NAMM Foundation. This was the third year in a row that CCPS had received this recognition.
2017-2018
Music In The Parks - Hershey: The WES 5th Grade instrumental ensembles performed at "Music In The Parks" in Hershey, PA on June 1. The WES 5th Grade Orchestra received 1st place in the Class A Elementary String Orchestra division with a rating of "Superior." The WES 5th Grade Band received 1st place in the Class A Elementary Concert Band division with a rating of "Excellent".
NAMM Best Communities in Music Education: Carroll County Public Schools was named as one of the 2018 "Best Communities for Music Education" by NAMM Foundation. This was the second year in a row that CCPS had received this recognition.
Westminster Region Side By Side Concert: The Carroll County Times covered the annual Westminster Region Side By Side Concert. This concert features 5th grade students from WES, Friendship Valley Elementary, and Mechanicsville Elementary, 7th grade students from West Middle, and the Honors Orchestra and Wind Ensemble from Westminster High School. The story can be found here.
2016-2017
Music In The Parks: The WES 5th Grade Intermediate instrumental ensembles performed in "Music In The Parks" on June 2, 2017. Both the 5th Grade Intermediate Band and 5th Grade Intermediate Orchestra received 1st place in their divisions with ratings of "Excellent," also receiving the awards for Top Overall Elementary Concert Band and Top Overall Elementary String Orchestra, respectively. Westminster Elementary School also received the "Esprit de Corps" award, given to one school regardless of grade level for sportsmanship, social behavior, and musical behavior, on and off stage. This was the third time in four years that WES had received this award.
NAMM Best Communities in Music Education: Carroll County Public Schools was named as one of the 2017 "Best Communities for Music Education" by NAMM Foundation. The complete list from the NAMM foundation can be foud here. The news release from CCPS can be found here.
2015-2016
Music In The Parks: The WES 5th Grade Intermediate Band and Intermediate Orchestra performed in "Music In The Parks" on June 3, 2016, in Hershey, PA. Both ensembles placed 1st in their divisons, and both received ratings of "Excellent". Westminster Elementary School also received the "Esprit de Corps" award, given to one school regardless of grade level for sportsmanship, social behavior, and musical behavior. This was the second time in three years that WES received had this award.
2014-2015
Music In The Parks: The WES 5th Grade Intermediate Band and Orchestra performed in "Music In The Parks" on May 29, 2015 in Hershey, PA. The 5th Grade Orchestra earned 2nd place in the Elementary Orchestra Class A division with a rating of "Superior". The 5th Grade Band earned 1st place in the Elementary Concert Band Class A division with a rating of "Excellent", scoring only .25 of a point away from a "Superior" rating. The 5th grade band also received the award for the Highest Overall Elementary Concert band.
http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/ph-ph-h-ph-cc-musical-westelem-jpg-20150625-photo.html
2013-2014
Music In The Parks: The WES 5th Grade Intermediate Band and Orchestra performed in "Music In The Parks" on May 30, 2014 in Hershey, PA. The 5th Grade Orchestra earned 1st place in the Class A Elementary String Orchestra division with a rating of "Excellent". The 5th Grade Band earned 2nd place in the Class A Elementary Concert Band division with a rating of "Good". The WES ensembles also won the "Esprit De Corps" award, which is awarded to only one school based on behavior and sportsmanship demonstrated at the festival.
http://www.carrollk12.org/about/news/release/1201
After School Strings Program: We were fortunate to have former WES Student Zoe Kempf-Harris teach an After School Strings Program in 2013-2014. Zoe was a six-year member of the Maryland All State Orchestra and the assistant concertmistress for the Peabody Youth Orchestra. The Carroll County Times covered the program in this story.
http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/local/peabody-student-westminster-alumna-teaches-music-students-proper-way-to/article_74462f8d-f195-5e92-8ae8-9c546d342b55.html
2012-2013
Music In The Parks: The 5th Grade Intermediate Band and Intermediate Orchestra became the first WES ensembles to perform in adjudicated performances in "Music In The Parks" on May 31, 2013, in Hershey, PA. The orchestra received a rating of "Good" and the Band received a rating of "Excellent," both earning 1st place finishes in the Elementary Class A division.
Gamday Battle Premiere and Publication: The WES 5th Grade Intermediate Band premiered Gameday Battle by Mark Lortz on the May spring concert. It was accepted for national publication by FJH Music in June 2013 and was released in Summer 2014.
2011-2012
Westminster Region Side By Side Concert: 5th grade instrumentalists from WES joined 5th grade instrumentalists from Friendship Valley, Mechanicsville, and Sandymount Elementary Schools along with with 8th grade instrumentalist from West Middle and instrumentalists from Westminster High School in the 4th annual Westminster Region Side By Side Concert. Over 300 students total participate in the event. This story was featured in the Feb. 14 edition of the Westminster Advocate.
http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/advocate_of_westminster/news/concert-promotes-retention-in-school-music-programs/article_451ad9d9-b52a-505b-affd-4ade421e1ca9.html
Caryn Lin String Workshop: Freelance electric violinist Caryn Lin came to WES on Dec. 21 to give a string performance and workshop to some of the 4th and 5th grade string students. The Carroll County Times was gracious enough to do a story (front page!) on Caryn's visit.
http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/local/electric-violinist-has-string-clinic-with-students/article_8600c281-b966-57d8-924e-07dd7b2bbc7f.html
5th grade band and orchestra Santa's House Performance: The 5th grade band and orchestra performed in downtown Westminster on Dec. 17 at "Santa's House." The Westminster Advocate featured our students in the preparation leading up to this public performance.
http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/advocate_of_westminster/news/middle-schoolers-play-holiday-concert/article_7dbe18c8-2599-11e1-8e50-0019bb2963f4.html?mode=story
2010-2011
The 2011 Westminster Region Side By Side Concert: This annual event was covered by the Westminster Patch
http://westminster.patch.com/articles/students-from-elementary-middle-and-high-school-work-together-to-put-on-a-top-notch-concert#video-4940127