Penn Band, Orchestra, Choir achieve State Finals Triple Crown

Whether it’s Penn High School’s Marching Kingsmen participating in the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, the Penn Symphonic Orchestra Strings performing at the Lincoln Center in New York City, or the Penn Choir singing a moving tribute on the U.S.S. Missouri at Pearl Harbor, Penn has been among Indiana’s most elite music programs.

Penn’s golden legacy in the performing arts is shining even brighter thanks to a State Finals Triple Crown accomplishment.

For the first time in the 65-year history of Penn performing arts, the Choir, the Orchestra and the Band will all be appearing in the State Finals in the same year.

All three music programs in Penn’s Final Arts Academy qualified for the 2023 State Finals, which will be held on Saturday, May 6.

“The students and staff of our Band, Orchestra and Choir programs are exceptional,” Penn High School Principal Dr. Sean Galiher said. “We are proud of our students and the diligent work they put in daily to master their instruments and contribute to the group’s overall performance and success.”

This will be the 11th appearance for the Penn Choirs at State Finals and the first since 1999.

The Penn Orchestra will make its 15th appearance in the state finals this year.

The Penn Band will make its 22nd appearance at this year’s event.

“For any music organization, advancing to the ISSMA State finals is a great achievement,” Penn Fine Arts Academy Leader and Marching Kingsmen Director Glenn Northern said. “It is especially fun to see our choir, band and orchestra members accomplish this in the same year. Each of these groups has a history and tradition with the state finals. But for this year, it will be fun for our students and staff to be there together.”

The ISSMA State Concert Finals will take place on Saturday, May 6, at Pike High School and at Lawrence Central High School.

• The Orchestra Performs at Pike High School at 12:25 p.m.
• The Choir performs at 5 p.m. at Pike High School.
• The Band performs at 6:20 p.m. at Lawrence Central High School.