[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 51 (Thursday, March 23, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E376]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





      IN RECOGNITION OF THE JOHN CHAMPE HIGH SCHOOL WIND ENSEMBLE

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. BARBARA COMSTOCK

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 23, 2017

  Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the John Champe High 
School Wind Ensemble on participating in the 2017 Music for All 
National Festival. Their dedication, hard work, and perseverance, along 
with the guidance and direction of their esteemed band director, 
Jonathan Phillips, helped earn John Champe High School its first 
appearance in the Music for All National Festival.
  The Music for All is one of the nation's largest and most influential 
organizations, and only a mere 59 high school and middle school concert 
band and percussion ensembles from across the nation were selected to 
perform at the 2017 festival. Despite the fact that the John Champe 
High School Wind Ensemble is still in its nascent, as John Champe High 
School only opened in Aldie, Virginia, in 2012, they have the honor and 
unique distinction of being the first ensemble from Loudoun County to 
be invited to perform at this festival. Furthermore, in five years, the 
band program at John Champe has blossomed from 26 students who were in 
the inaugural marching band in 2012 to 230 students today. The John 
Champe Knights have also earned the distinction of Virginia Honor Band 
three times and 19 students successfully auditioned into the All-
District Band this year.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the 
John Champe High School Wind Ensemble on participating in the 2017 
Music for All National Festival. I am proud to represent these students 
and wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

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