CHARLOTTESVILLE (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – For the 14th time, Charlottesville High School has won the highest award given to school music programs in Virginia, and for the first time, one of the school’s music directors was a student. The Virginia Music Educators Association Blue Ribbon Award goes to Virginia high schools whose top-performing music groups in band, choir, and orchestra all earn the highest possible rating – “superior” – in their spring district assessment performances.

The CHS Orchestra and Band earned their “superior” ratings earlier in March. Last week, it was the choir’s turn, and its performance would make (or break) CHS’s chances at the Blue Ribbon. Knowing he would be unavailable to lead the choir during assessments, Choir Director Will Cooke made the unusual choice of selecting senior Elle Polifka to direct the group.

Polifka has been selected for both the highly competitive Virginia All-State Choir and for its most prestigious group, the Senior Honors Choir. She regularly leads the choir during class, particularly if there is a substitute teacher. In addition, she is concertmaster for the CHS Orchestra and is in the first violin section of Virginia’s All State Orchestra.
Click here to see a CHS Orchestra performance.