It was a banner weekend for the music programs of Independence Middle School. The singers and musicians demonstrated their talents at the 2008 Heritage Festival in Orlando. Competitors included ensembles from as far away as California, Canada, and Alaska. Each of the four groups from IMS earned Gold Awards. Americana, the show choir led by Erica Barnes, performed popular tunes including "September" and "New Girl in Town". Voices of Independence, also directed by Mrs. Barnes, delivered stunning renditions of more traditional choral pieces including "Gather Ye Roses" and "Hotaru Koi", a song which they performed in Japanese.

In addition to the vocal groups, Independence sent two groups of instrumentalists under the direction of Randy Sonntag. The jazz band earned gold with their performances of the up-tempo "Birdland", "C Jam Blues" and the laid-back "Georgia on My Mind" which featured a trumpet solo by Ryan Morie. Morie took home the Maestro Award for "Displaying extraordinary musical ability and sensitivity." Sonntag's Wind Symphony demonstrated their remarkable range and dexterity by playing "Military Escort" and "Let Us Break Bread Together" featuring outstanding descant trumpet solos by Ryan Morie, Laura Schuemann, and Patrick Fritz. The Wind Symphony finished their performance with a powerful rendition of Tielman Susato's "The Battle Pavane".Both bands received the Adjudicator's Award which goes to "Instrumental groups who earn 92 or more points out of a possible 100."The combined scores of the jazz band and the Wind Symphony gave Sonntag's young musicians the highest total at the festival, earning them the Instrumental Sweepstakes Trophy.

Together these four groups earned the competition's highest honor, the Festival Sweepstakes. This accolade goes to "The school that accumulates the highest number of points towards a perfect score of 300."Congratulations to all participants on a job well done.