Vocal Music Happenings
By Tom Doran on February 27, 2015
Launch the media gallery 1 playerWe are back into a routine in the vocal music realm and what a whirlwind the first part of this semester has been. Starting with January 11 & 12, Kaycee Bartels & Grant Moles traveled to Crete and participated in the Doane Vocal Festival. This busy, two day festival allowed the students to rehearse, watch the Doane choirs in concert, attend a dance, and present a final concert.
Kaycee Bartels, Courtney Klaasmeyer, & Grant Moles participated in the BOCH (Bands, Orchestra, and Choruses at the Holland) Honor Festival on January 23rd – 25th on the campus of UNO. Following rehearsals on Friday and Saturday at the Strauss Performing Arts Center, there was a 1:15 PM concert on Sunday, January 25th, at the Holland Center for Performing Arts in downtown Omaha.
The Nebraska Choral Directors Association sponsored the bi-annual Singing Youth of Nebraska Festivals throughout the state in January and February. JCC attended this 7-9th grade festival on Saturday, January 24 in Beatrice at the Hevelone Center for Performing Arts. There were 127 students from Beatrice, Crete, Fairbury, Johnson County Central, Lincoln Southeast, Meridian, Nebraska City, Omaha Burke, Pawnee City, Syracuse, Tri-County, and Wilber-Clatonia. Our clinician was Nate Helzer from Omaha Burke High School accompanied by Victory Sedlacek.
Simon Rother and Jacob Wolter attended the UNO Middle School Honor Choir on January 9.
Monday, March 9, JCC will host the 22nd annual Freshmore Clinic. This is a clinic Mr. Doran started in 1994 to help strengthen the younger voices (Freshmen and Sophomores) from area choirs. We’ll rehearse all day in the Elementary Auditorium and present a 6:00 PM concert that evening. The concert is free so come join us! This year’s clinician is Kevin Beseiger from Beatrice and David Norris from Peru accompanying. Here are some interesting facts about Freshmore:
- There have been 38 schools participating (some of which are no longer around): Adams; Ashland-Greenwood; Auburn; Beatrice; Conestoga; Crete; Cross County; Dawson/Verdon; Falls City; Falls City Sacred Heart; Freeman; Gretna; Johnson-Brock; Johnson County Central; Lewiston; Lincoln Christian; Lincoln Lutheran; Lincoln Northeast; Lincoln Southeast; Louisville; Lourdes Central Catholic; Malcolm; Mead; Meridian; Nebraska City; Nemaha Valley; Palmyra; Parkview Christian; Pawnee City; Plattsmouth; Southeast Consolidated; Syracuse; Table Rock-Steinhauer; Tecumseh; Wahoo; Waterloo; Waverly; & Yutan.
- There have been a total of 56 different directors who have brought students from those 38 schools.
- A total of 3133 singers have performed (not including guest show choirs) which averages to 149 a year. The high participation was 260 the low was 75. We have had only one cancellation due to weather.
- Four have been held on March 4, three each March 7 & March 8, and two on March 5 (my birthday). While the others have been spread around the month of March with 1 in April.
- 67 different songs have been performed.
- 2 of those songs have been written for us.
March 17 not only brings St Patrick’s Day but also the Middle School Baked Potato Night. From 5:00 – 7:00 pm come eat a baked potato loaded with all the goods and then at 7:00 pm listen to the students of the middle school instrumental and vocal departments. They will be performing contest selections. Prices will be Adults $5.00 & Students $3.00. Then the middle school will compete in the Malcolm Music Contest on March 20.ete in the Malcolm Music Contest on Marchlented show. Hope to see you at one of our performances on May 1 or Mnder our belt The Jr. High Choir will perform at 8:45 am, the 6th grade band at 10:00 am and the Jr. High Band at 2:40 pm.
March 24 the high school music groups will be traveling to Pawnee City to compete in the Mudecas Music Contest and will be in need of some parent volunteers. Call or email Mrs. Fricke or Mr. Doran to see where you can help.
UNO Middle School Honor Choir
Singing Youth of Nebraska
