GMS eighth grade band students, GMS choir students, and RVH fifth grade choir students were accepted into the SE District Kansas Music Educators Association honor band and choirs.
The concert was held Saturday, Jan. 16, at 3:30 p.m. at Burlington High School.
Only eighth grade band students were eligible for honor band. Eight members of the GMS band auditioned, and all eight were chosen for the group.
Those include Bethany Schifferdecker and Haley Pitts, flute; Alex Battitori, clarinet; John Hey, alto saxophone; Alex Hughes, baritone saxophone; Paxton Boore, trumpet; Christian Mack, euphonium; and Alex Tippie, percussion.
“I was very proud of the fact that all eight of the students who wanted to be in district band were chosen to be in it,” said band instructor Willey Abati.
The audition process for this level of districts was different from high school districts in that band directors had to submit a written recommendation rather than a live audition.
Haley Pitts said, “It was a lot of fun. The director who we had was really funny. I’m glad I was able to go and make some new friends.”
The SE District KMEA Honor Band clinician was Ed Bartley who has directed bands in the Lawrence School District for fifteen years and has been director of students at Kansas University Midwest Music and Arts Camp.
All seventh and eighth grade choir students were eligible for Middle School Honor Choir. At this level the director chose students who were the most qualified.
Choir director Christina Wallace said that she used the audition material that the students had when they auditioned for State Honor Choir to make her decision.
Those selected were sopranos Ashley Johnson and Emily Rawlings; altos Alix Beezley, Christian Provence, and Morgan Sevart; and baritones Graham Dixon and Austin Lowe.
According to the group, the event was “fun and exciting.”
The clinician for this group was Terry Crull, Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Fort Hays State University. Rosie Sweaney from Sedan was accompanist.
When the students sang “God Bless America,” Mr. Crull invited the audience to sing along with the students.
GMS sixth grade students qualified for the Elementary Honor Choir using the same process as the Middle School Honor Choir.
Students chosen were Elizabeth Crumpacker, Kaitlyn Brodbeck, Samantha Guy, Madison Hey, Cooper Pucket, and Gregory Puffinbarger.
Mrs. Wallace said, “I’m very glad my students have the opportunity to attend events like District Honor Choir. They spent a lot of time outside of choir class to learn their parts. By the time they performed the concert for their parents and community members, they realized what a rewarding experience music is and shared their experience with the rest of the students.”
Fifth grade students from RVH were also eligible for the Elementary Honor Choir. Those interested had to audition for music instructor John Womeldorff who selected students for the group.
Those selected were Ethan Doherty, Morgan Houk, Austin Lallemand, Michaela Schettler, Madison Trageser, and Eric Wilson.
Ms. Schettler said, “I had a really good time, and I enjoyed making some good friends. My favorite song was ‘The Little Birch Tree.’”
The clinician for the KMEA Southeast District Elementary Honor Choir was Karen Simms from Maize, Kansas, who currently teaches music, choir, and performing arts classes at Maize South Middle School. Rhonda Allen from Uniontown was accompanist.
“As always, it was a great experience for the students,” said Mr. Womeldorff. “Mrs. Simms did an excellent job keeping the kids engaged and teaching them advanced skills.”
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GMS eighth grade band students, GMS choir students, and RVH fifth grade choir students were accepted into the SE District Kansas Music Educators Association honor band and choirs.
The concert was held Saturday, Jan. 16, at 3:30 p.m. at Burlington High School.
Only eighth grade band students were eligible for honor band. Eight members of the GMS band auditioned, and all eight were chosen for the group.
Those include Bethany Schifferdecker and Haley Pitts, flute; Alex Battitori, clarinet; John Hey, alto saxophone; Alex Hughes, baritone saxophone; Paxton Boore, trumpet; Christian Mack, euphonium; and Alex Tippie, percussion.
“I was very proud of the fact that all eight of the students who wanted to be in district band were chosen to be in it,” said band instructor Willey Abati.
The audition process for this level of districts was different from high school districts in that band directors had to submit a written recommendation rather than a live audition.
Haley Pitts said, “It was a lot of fun. The director who we had was really funny. I’m glad I was able to go and make some new friends.”
The SE District KMEA Honor Band clinician was Ed Bartley who has directed bands in the Lawrence School District for fifteen years and has been director of students at Kansas University Midwest Music and Arts Camp.
All seventh and eighth grade choir students were eligible for Middle School Honor Choir. At this level the director chose students who were the most qualified.
Choir director Christina Wallace said that she used the audition material that the students had when they auditioned for State Honor Choir to make her decision.
Those selected were sopranos Ashley Johnson and Emily Rawlings; altos Alix Beezley, Christian Provence, and Morgan Sevart; and baritones Graham Dixon and Austin Lowe.
According to the group, the event was “fun and exciting.”
The clinician for this group was Terry Crull, Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Fort Hays State University. Rosie Sweaney from Sedan was accompanist.
When the students sang “God Bless America,” Mr. Crull invited the audience to sing along with the students.
GMS sixth grade students qualified for the Elementary Honor Choir using the same process as the Middle School Honor Choir.
Students chosen were Elizabeth Crumpacker, Kaitlyn Brodbeck, Samantha Guy, Madison Hey, Cooper Pucket, and Gregory Puffinbarger.
Mrs. Wallace said, “I’m very glad my students have the opportunity to attend events like District Honor Choir. They spent a lot of time outside of choir class to learn their parts. By the time they performed the concert for their parents and community members, they realized what a rewarding experience music is and shared their experience with the rest of the students.”
Fifth grade students from RVH were also eligible for the Elementary Honor Choir. Those interested had to audition for music instructor John Womeldorff who selected students for the group.
Those selected were Ethan Doherty, Morgan Houk, Austin Lallemand, Michaela Schettler, Madison Trageser, and Eric Wilson.
Ms. Schettler said, “I had a really good time, and I enjoyed making some good friends. My favorite song was ‘The Little Birch Tree.’”
The clinician for the KMEA Southeast District Elementary Honor Choir was Karen Simms from Maize, Kansas, who currently teaches music, choir, and performing arts classes at Maize South Middle School. Rhonda Allen from Uniontown was accompanist.
“As always, it was a great experience for the students,” said Mr. Womeldorff. “Mrs. Simms did an excellent job keeping the kids engaged and teaching them advanced skills.”
