A group of 11 middle school choir students from Santa Fe Christian Schools (SFC) in Solana Beach delivered a performance at the Music in the Parks Choir Competition on May 3, earning a 1st Place Superior rating and the prestigious Top Overall Choir award.
Competing against 12 choirs from across California — including teams from Los Angeles County, Visalia, Sacramento, and San Diego — as well as schools from Arizona and Nevada, the young ensemble scored an extraordinary 99 out of 100 points, according to a news release.
“This is a score I’ve never seen before in all my years as a student and a teacher,” said SFC’s Music Director Vlad Bgatov in the news release. “The highest I ever received as a student at SFC was a 97 — and this topped that.”
The margin was razor-thin, with the second-highest score of 98.75 going to a show choir known for its excellence.
Despite the intense competition, challenging acoustics in the performance hall, and the early morning two-hour commute, the students rose to the occasion — many of them performing in their first year of choir.
“We are ambassadors of Christ, and everything we do — we give our best as to the Lord,” said Bgatov in the news release. “The kids stepped up to that calling, and, although the accolades are great, I’m most grateful for this experience that our kids can store in their memories as a testimony where the primary goal was to glorify God with our gifts, and sing the very best to represent Jesus.”
The choir’s achievement marks a musical milestone and reflects a deeper purpose — using their talents to inspire, uplift, and represent their faith with excellence, the news release stated.
