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Pleasanton Middle School’s music program hit high notes at a recent music Music in the Parks Festival at Milpitas High School.

One hundred and seventy Pleasanton Middle students in the school’s symphonic band, jazz band, advanced orchestra and choir participated in the late April competition, band director Jason Ravina said.

The symphonic band, jazz band and advanced orchestra placed first in their AA divisions and took home trophies for overall best band/orchestra out of all participating groups. Pleasanton Middle’s choir placed third in their AA division.

“I am proud of the students accomplishments, and their hard work and dedication to music shows in the results. Our goal was to perform to the best of our ability, and the chips would fall as they may. I think the students took this to heart and really put on a fine show,” Ravina said.

Some individual students were also honored for their performances. Aoife Stapleton was chosen as Most Outstanding Middle School Jazz Soloist on the tenor saxophone.

“I am grateful for all of the donations and support that the parents and community give the music program. Without that support, it would be difficult or near impossible to give the students the opportunity to perform at such events,” Ravina said.

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1 Comment

  1. While I agree that these students deserve accolades, it seems that we only care about the groups that win some event. Yes, we have highly motivated students in PUSD. Yes, we have great teachers and leaders of these students (no matter what it may seem here on Town Square). But do our students really have to win awards to be considered successful?

  2. I was very lucky to see all these students perform. If you closed your eyes, you wouldn’t believe you were listening to middle school students. Their talent and Mr. Ravina’s calm guidance were amazing. And they do this with the judges talking into recorders the entire time, a distraction for anyone in attendance, and often in very small performance rooms. Kudos to everyone!

  3. For some students, participating in sports and other competitions is important to their personal goals and is even what keeps their grades up–a necessity to participate in many activities. If you were there and saw how excited and proud these students were, you might feel differently.

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