Students in the HF-L High Concert Band, Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble display their latest trophies. Photo provided by Andrew Vetter
The Honeoye Falls-Lima High School Concert Band, Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble returned from a trip to Virginia Beach with some more hardware for the music trophy cases.
The students, along with directors Andrew Vetter (Concert Band) and Dr. Ken Kreuzer (Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble) traveled to Virginia Beach to compete in the Festivals of Music competition at Western Branch High School in Chesapeake, Virginia from April 22-April 25. The bands competed on Friday, April 24 against a large group from Maryland.
The Concert Band, Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble all received ratings of either “Excellent” or “Superior” and placed first in their respective divisions. Both the Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble were named the Overall Best Wind Ensemble and Overall Best Jazz Ensemble at the festival. The combined groups of the Concert Band, Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble earned the Esprit de Corps Award which is given for above and beyond musical achievement and is decided upon by the festival staff and the staff at the hosting school.
“It represents the highest level of personal integrity, quality character values, a desire for excellence and a spirit of cooperation,” Vetter said.
Vetter was also inducted into the Festivals of Music Hall of Fame after attending five or more events with the Festivals of Music as well.
The honors the high school music groups received at the festival capped off a month that also saw HF-L receive a 2026 Best Communities for Music Education Award from the NAMM Foundation, marking the 15th consecutive year that the school district has received this honor.
The high school music students were accompanied on the trip to Virginia Beach by High School Principal Sarah Jacob, High School Vocal Music Director Ken Goold, retired music teachers Barb Salter (Middle School) and Mark Borden (High School) and High School English teacher Andrea Borrelli.
“We thank our chaperones and congratulate the students in the Concert Band, Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble,” Vetter said.
