Instrumental and choral groups from Darlington’s Middle and Upper Schools performed at Walt Disney World last month during the fourth annual Festival Disney. Performers participated in adjudicated performances, personalized feedback clinics and an awards ceremony.

Darlington’s Middle School Orchestra, the only middle school group in the competition, received a rating of “Excellent” and came in fourth overall. They competed against high school orchestras. The Middle School Chorus received a rating of “Superior” and came in third.

Darlington’s Concert Choir, made up of upper school students, was named overall champions in classes A-AAAA. They were one of only three choirs invited to participate in the Disney Honors Chorus Invitational in 2009.

The festival series schedule includes two days of adjudicated performances, where band, choral, dance, auxiliary, jazz and concert ensembles receive written and recorded feedback from nationally recognized music educators. Competing groups vie for Best in Class and Festival Disney gold, silver and bronze awards.

Festival Disney is open to junior, middle and high school music groups.

While in Florida, Darlinton’s Upper School Ladies’ and Men’s Chorale also participated in the All-Star Music Festival at Universal Studios, where they were rated “Superior” and “Excellent,” respectively