By Carly Walkowiak ’14 | Staff Writer

South’s band and orchestra took their talent to Fullerton, California Wednesday, April 17 for an annual competition.

The students will be competing in, Heritage Festival of Music, against 20 other schools, Orchestra Director James Gross said.  They have competed for this competition previously in New York and London, but this will be the first time they go to California.

The orchestra has been preparing for their big debut since February with weekly practices, violinist Kimberly Barbour ’14 said.

“I’m so excited to be in the warm for once,” said Barbour. “This is also the longest I’ve traveled for orchestra.”

Gross has been with the South orchestra for 10 years, and this is Christopher Takis first year with the band.

“We’ve been working a lot after school and looking forward to the competition,” said flute player Claire Heubner ‘14.

However, this is not the only competition in which the band and orchestra are participants.    They competed in early March in a competition known as Michigan School Band & Orchestra Association, a band and orchestra festival.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun to hang out with the band kids,” said Barbour.

Since the only day for the competition is Friday April 19, the band and orchestra will be partaking in other activities such as visiting Santa Monica Pier, watching a Grease production, going to the Los Angeles  philharmonic, a Detroit Tigers v Anaheim Angels baseball game and Disney Land, Gross said.

“I know they will play at their very best abilities and do excellent,” said Gross.