Hopatcong Middle School Choir Rocks Festival

These kids can sing.

choir earned the top award at the High Note Music Festival in Allentown, PA., in May. Judges gave the students, led by teacher Shawna Longo, the rating of "superior," which, meant they scored between 90 and 100 on a 100-point scale.

The students sang "Prayer for the Children," "Dem Bones," "Lean on Me," and "Bless the Broken Road." Judges complimented the choir on their note attacks, duration and releases as well as their blend, balance, pitch, diction and music selection.

Other groups received "Excellent" (90-80 points) and "Good" (80-70 points) rankings.