- Arts + Music
- Upper School
A few days ago, the following email arrived in the inboxes of Nicole Pitts, McCallie's orchestra director and the conductor of GPS's Honors Orchestra, and Dr. Michael McCallie, director of McCallie's guitar program:
Hi Nicole and Michael,
On behalf of Music Showcase Festivals, we want to congratulate the McCallie High School Guitar Ensemble #2, as you are the recipients of the 2025 Dollywood Music Showcase Festivals Grand Sweepstakes Award for the High School Instrumental category. Your ensemble received the highest score among all the instrumental ensembles at your level that participated in the Music Showcase Festivals this year at your festival location.
Ron Simmons, Executive Director
Between the orchestras and guitar groups under consideration, it was quite a haul —the best in school history.
The awards are as follows:
US Advanced Guitar Ensemble
- Superior Rating
- 2nd place in their category
- Section award
US Intermediate Guitar Ensemble
- Superior rating
- 1st place in their category
- Section award
- Overall Grand Champions in the Strings Category
String Orchestra
- Superior Rating
- First Place in their category
- Cello section award
- Senior Gokul Palanati won the violin soloist award of the night
MS Advanced Guitar
- Superior Ratings
- 1st Place in their category
MS Intermediate and Beginning Guitar
- Superior Rating
- 2nd place in their category
6th Grade Orchestra
- Excellent Rating
- First Place in their category
MS Intermediate Orchestra
- Superior Ratings
- First Place in category
- Grand Champion of the day.
"This marked the first time the Orchestra Program has participated in an out-of-town festival," noted Pitts, "making it a significant milestone for our students and faculty. It was inspiring to see schools from various states coming together for these events, fostering both musical growth and community. A tremendous amount of preparation went into these two events, both from the students and the directors. The time and effort were undoubtedly worthwhile. It was gratifying to witness our student leaders and the musical concepts taught in the classroom come to life and be affirmed by some of the finest music educators in the field."
Added McCallie: "In April and May, Nicole took two groups of Guitar and Strings students (more than 115 kids total), over consecutive weekends, to compete in statewide music competitions hosted at Dollywood (Music Showcase Festival, Music in the Parks). Out of many of the best strings, choir, band, and guitar students in the state, we took first prize in every category for which we were eligible. We found out last week that the US Intermediate Guitar Ensemble was awarded the Grand Sweepstakes Award, which means they scored higher than any other ensemble (band, orchestra, choir, etc.) in Tennessee that competed at the Music Showcase Festival at Dollywood during the 2024-25 school year. It was especially amazing because it was the first time any McCallie Guitar Ensemble has ever competed in a large ensemble competition in the 20-plus year history of the program."
Congratulations to all.
Learn more about our Music Department.
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