MLHS junior/senior high bands, choirs perform during Music In Our Schools Month
ADVANCING THE THEME from Music In Our Schools Month this March – “Change the World” – each student at Mountain Lake Public School in grades kindergarten through 12 were asked the question, “How does music change your world?” The answers to their individual musical inspiration, in either drawing, words, or both, were found on the back of the concert programs from the Monday concert. On the back of this particular program, first-grader Leah Strom, shared a drawing of a musician onstage in in the middle of an enthusiastic performance before an appreciative eudience. Leah’s overall thought, “I love music!”
The Mountain Lake Public High School (MLHS) Junior High (grades seven and eight) and Senior High (grades nine through 12) bands and choirs performed in a March concert on Monday evening, March 20, in the school’s auditorium. Leading the groups were Mountain Lake Public School (MLPS) Instrumental Director Kurt Jahnke and MLPS Vocal Director Andrea Brinkman.
The March performance comes as part of Music In Our Schools Month (MIOSM). The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) has designated the month for the observance of Music In Our Schools Month (MIOSM). During all 31 days of the month, there is a focus on music education in schools across the nation.
This year’s theme, “Change the World,” inspires the question, “How does music change your world?” That question was answered by Mountain Lake Public School students in grades kindergarten through 12 in a personal and public way. Each student shared their thoughts on the music in their world through drawing and/or statement on the back of the Monday night concert programs.
At MLHS, the Haydn to Hip Hop class of Brinkman has led various activities throughout the month to help guide the entire K-12 student body in a celebration of music, as well as serving as educators about the importance of music in people’s lives.
Following is a photo gallery from Monday night’s concert:
THE MLHS JUNIOR High Band (grades seven and eight) in performance under the baton of the school’s instrumental director, Kurt Jahnke.
JUNIOR HIGH BAND percussionist Sam Stade added tones from the xylophone to the group’s musical selection. The instrumentalists presented “Fanfare for a New Era,” by Mark Williams; “Rippling Watercolors,” by Brian Balmages and went on “A Medieval Quest,” music by Anne McGinty.
FRONT, TWO JUNIOR High Band flutists, Wendy Tema Lopez, left and Hope Doll, right. At back, trombonists Annelise Regier, Kade Wassman and Ian Penner.
CHANDLOR PHOULOM provided the brass bass sound of his baritone to the band’s numbers.
MEMBERS OF THE Junior High Choir (grades seven and eight) take to the stage under the lead of the school’s vocal director, Andrea Brinkman, seated at the piano.
MIXED JUNIOR HIGH Choir boys’ and girls’ songs included “Sisi Kushangilia” (“We Will Be Glad”), by Victor C. Johnson and “Oceans and Stars,” by Amy Bernon. Above, vocalists add dance moves to the lyrics, “We will dance. We will sing. We will be glad.” Front, from left, Chloe Anacker, Jessica Anderson, Mercedes Saengosoth and Kaiya Sayavong. Middle, from left, Delainey Janzen, Emma Eidhammer, Deliela Nunthavong and Jasmine Davison. Back, from left, Alex Hernandez, Carly Osland and Mackenzie Parent.
WITH THEIR BLENDED soprano and alto voices, the Junior High Girls answered the question, “How Can I Keep from Singing?,” arranged by Rollo Dilworth. Front, from left, Connie Sengmany, Faith Simon, Olivia Klassen, Jordan Wright, Cyenna Voshage Hampel, Chloe Anacker, Jessica Anderson, Mercedes Saengosoth and Kaiya Sayavong. Middle, from left, Isabella Louangthilath, Hana Bergling, Eryn Friesen, Haliey Groebner, Anika Fast, Delainey Janzen, Emma Eidhammer, Deliela Nunthavong, Jasmine Davison and Madison Hartle. Back, from left, Cynthia Bernal, Anika Klassen, Olivia Christians, Sommer Majerus, Baylee Jepsen, Carly Osland, Mackenzie Parent, Sierra Perkins, Sabrina Hanson and Kiana Peters.
AIDEN REHNELT, LEFT, was seeking fans with his “Call Me!” sign during the Junior High Boys’ number, “The Pirate Song,” by Tim Y. Jones. With Rehnelt are Tommer Vongkaenchan and Micah Holmberg, each also enjoying the moment.
“AAARRRGGGHHH, ME MATEYS!” Cole Kleven was a happy pirate with a parrot perched on his shoulder, just singing away in “The Pirate Song.”
DIRECTOR KURT JAHNKE and the Senior High Band (grades nine through 12) performed four songs, including one presented in competition at the recently-held Large Group Music Contest at Red Rock Central Public High School in Lamberton. The band received superior ratings from the three judges – including a perfect 4.0 score. That contest song shared was “Joy In All Things,” by Brian Balmages. Other songs from the concert were “Lydian Lullaby” and “The Message on the Rock,” both by Robert Sheldon and “Success March,” by Harold Bennett.
THE QUARTET OF CLARINETS in the front row includes Aleesha Jepsen, Victoria Hofmann, Amy Bartsch and Laura Dalton. At back, “Sound the trumpets;” from left, Kayla Vonk, Kalley Rempel, Brett Willaby, Jeff Wright, Michael Watkins, Aaron Fast and Shad Hoek.
MEASURES PLAYED BY flutist Emily Jahnke, were responded to by fellow flutist, Brook Sunderman, in Robert Sheldon’s “Lydian Lullaby,”
SENIOR HIGH PERCUSSIONIST Josiah Gardiner, keeps a well-trained eye on the music as he waits to add the ringing sound of the chimes (or tubular bells).
MEMBERS OF THE Senior High Band fill the risers as they wait to begin their part of the program under the direction of the school’s vocal director, Andrea Brinkman, center. At the piano is accompanist Martha Standerwick. The group presesnted “Festival Sanctus,” by John Leavitt; “O Nata Lux” from Lux Aeterna, by Morten Lauridsen and “Let Everything That Hath Breath,” by Jeffrey L. Ames. The choir also received superior at the Large Group Music Contest.
ALTOS OF THE Senior High Choir. Front, from left, Meredith Sueszz, Rosalina Tema and Martina Simon. Middle, from left, Jaylee Lugo, Emma Stade, Brook Sunderman, Merel Caminada and Kassandra Tellez. Back, from left, Rebekah Klassen, Jazmin Odegard and Marta Stoesz.
MUSIC IS CHANGING their world – and in turn – the world of others. The Senior High choir performed “Let Everything That Hath Breath.” At front are soloists, from left, Ruben Fentanez, Liana Blomgren and Sam Grev. On risers at back, front, from left, Taylor Hudson, Lily Kauffman, Naly Sayavong, Jon Faber, Nick Curry and Zach Spinks. Second row, from left, Chloe Klassen, Kyla Perkins, Katherine Hofmann, Jorja Lepp, Lucie Havlíčková, Taylor Naas, Rylie Tollefson and Breanna Fast. Third row, from left, Destiny Phetsomphou, Destiny Sybounheaun, Joey Baldone, Josiah Gardiner, Luciano Estrada and David Hall. Back, from left, Sophie Carrison, Bileigh Anacker, Janessa Johnson, Lexia Peters, Paton Buller, Reynaldo Capetillo, Paxton Morin, Emilio Garcia de la Cruz and Sam Paulson.
THE BEAT AND keyboard background band sound for “Let Everything That Hath Breath” was provided by Jaden Hoek on the trap set, left and Olivia Klassen on the keyboard, right
