HSCA Ensemble Takes National Honors!
The Hobe Sound Christian Academy Ensemble recently traveled to Greenville, SC to compete against sixteen other choral groups in their category and came away with the trophy for first place. The group of students, ranging from 9-12 th grade, placed first in their category in the state at a similar competition held in Clearwater, FL in February that projected them into the national finals. They skillfully and exuberantly performed two
a cappella numbers, a Spiritual and a Renaissance Motet, before a group of judges on the campus of Bob Jones University.
The competition is a culmination of a number of performances that led up to the Fine Arts competition hosted by the American Association of Christian Schools (ACCS). This year's competition drew finalists from 34 states in numerous categories.
The ensemble's conductor, Dr. Paul Peak, who was unable to lead the group at the competition, celebrated their achievement via a cell phone call from the overjoyed students after the award was announced. When asked about his response to the award, Dr. Peak said he was surprised and elated by the news. He later said of the group, "They are a wonderful group of talented and hard working young people. It has been one of the highlights of my life to conduct them."
Dr. Randall McElwain, Principal of Hobe Sound Christian Academy and himself an accomplished musician, conducted the ensemble and was very pleased with their performance and the award.
Special thanks go to two key alumni/sponsors that made the trip to Greenville, SC a reality. Mr. Jon Duren (Class of 1992), owner of Duren Roofing of Stuart, and Mr. James Crocker (Class of 1988), owner of Waterblasting Technologies, Inc. of Stuart, in conjunction with the Parent Teacher Fellowship of the school, stepped up to help make the finances available for the group to travel to the competition. Both men spoke of their own meaningful experiences in traveling with the ensemble to the competition as students and the joy of helping to provide the same opportunity for this year's ensemble.