Beverly Hills Intermediate School’s former orchestra instructor Leigh Ledford held a childhood and professional dream of performing at the prestigious Midwest Clinic, a band and orchestra conference held annually in Chicago.

In April 2006, Ledford’s dream came true as she and her advanced orchestra were invited to perform. With passion, she began preparing her students for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Less than one month after receiving the long-anticipated invitation, Ledford was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Though she fought courageously, Ledford lost her battle with the disease Nov. 7, 2006.

Without question and with the support of their teachers and their principal, Alyta Harrell, Ledford’s students pressed on determined to make her proud. And as her students received a 10 minute standing ovation after their performance, the very spirited passion of their beloved instructor was unmistakably present.

“I will never forget the look in each student’s eyes after they performed the performance of a lifetime,” Harrell said. “Each one stood proud, honored and touched by the music they played. They exceeded the high expectations we set, and the reaction of the audience was priceless.”

Of the 32 performers invited to the 2006 event, the Beverly Hills Symphony Orchestra, made up of 52 seventh- and eighth-grade students, was the only intermediate school orchestra invited in the antion.

As the first group to perform at the conference, the students let their talents shine through 10 pieces including a waltz, a violin concerto featuring soloist Elizabeth Ledford (orchestra director at the Morris Fifth Grade Center), difficult pieces written in uncommon time and West Side Story. Although they share the same last name, the two Ledfords are not related. The group was led by Penny Meitz and guest conductors.

“The pieces themselves were difficult,” said guest conductor and BHI band director George Liverman. “Adding the different styles of each of the conductors made performing the pieces even more difficult. These students went through a great deal to reach that level of performing by continuously overcoming challenges as well as the loss of a loved one (Ledford). You could see they were honoring Leigh to their fullest.”

Pasadena ISD Superintendent Kirk Lewis flew to Chicago for the day to see the performance and said members of the audience approached him after the performance praising the talents and professionalism of the group.

“The students were absolutely incredible,” Lewis said. “Their performance was an outstanding tribute to their teachers, their campus and their parents. They are a very talented group of students who have been well taught and well trained. They received a standing ovation that brought tears to our eyes. They were professional in every way. I am very proud of them and the way they represented their district and their school.”

The students received a $40,000 contribution from Beyonce’s father Mathew Knowles and his Survivor Foundation to help fund their trip. Other funds were raised by the South Belt community and the students.

“This trip was a first for many students in many aspects,” said chaperone and BHI faculty member Gary Warner said. “For some, it was their first trip outside of Texas, on an airplane and more. The generosity these students received allowed them to experience life lessons that go beyond what they will learn at school. All of the support, through resources and spirit, made the dreams of Leigh and her students possible. It was an experience that we all will remember.”

While she desired to be a performing guest at this conference throughout her life, there wasn’t anything Ledford wanted more than to prove to her students that they were capable of any success they set their minds to.

“Possibly my greatest passion as an educator is to prove to students their success in life has more to do with what is inside of them rather than what is around them,” Ledford said in an interview prior to her diagnosis. “Their work ethic, passion and belief in themselves should never be denied because they feel intimidated by others they perceive as having greater environmental opportunities. I believe my students will take life-long lessons of excellence with them from this experience and great memories that will last a lifetime. They have a lot of heart and passion that I believe will always serve them well in all of their future endeavors. I am most proud.”