Lansing High School Legacy Singers Featured at KMEA Convention
The Lansing HS Legacy singers were selected to perform at the KS Music Educators Association All-State convention in Wichita, KS. This is the highest honor a music ensemble can achieve at the state level and is the result of a blind audition of music performances submitted by high school music ensembles across the state. This marks the 2nd selection for the Lansing HS Choirs program in the last three years.
LHS Choirs director Brian J. White says, "We are honored to have been selected, and the students represented our community in stellar fashion! While working toward our performance, we were vulnerable enough to accept each challenge and learn from it while maintaining a thirst and hunger for growth, remaining relentless in our pursuit of excellence. We inspire each other and, in turn, those with whom we come into contact. This group of extraordinary young people has brought me to tears in class, not only through their musicality but in how they interact with each other. Through music, I teach the whole student body, and it is a joy to behold. What more can a teacher ask for?"
The choir rehearsed material for this performance each class period from August until their February 23 performance at the convention in Wichita. During that time, the group held workshops with university and college directors in Kansas and performed at venues in the area, including a joint concert with the KU Concert Choir.
"When Mr. White first announced to us of our being selected to KMEA, a disbelieving joy was felt throughout the room," says senior Austin Strehlow. "For those of us who knew what an honor this was, we were met with a mixed feeling of both excitement and doubt. In this moment, we as a choir had two options: we could shy away with insecurity and remain ordinary as we were, or we could accept the challenge and strive to be more. I am proud to say we chose the latter. A legacy of greatness had been achieved in the choirs before our own, and it would not end with us."
- Thank you to Brian J. White for this article and photo.