On Tuesday, January 16, 2024, 22 of our LHS students from concert band, choir, and orchestra went to the Boettcher Concert Hall to perform in the Continental League Honor Music Festival.
This was the 35th Annual Continental League Honor Musical Festival, featuring 12 high schools from The Douglas County School District, Littleton School District, and Regis Jesuit High School.
In November, the orchestra and band students audition and are selected by a panel of judges in which each student must perform scales, musical excerpts, and sight reading. Choral students are chosen by their school director.
Starting in December, the selected students play/sing with the others. Most of the students had never played with their fellow musicians until January, and all of them had just met their guest conductors on Saturday, January 6.
Isaac Schell (11) played the Euphonium with another of our LHS performers. Schell spent at least 48 hours on this activity, including memorizing/learning audition material, four band rehearsals, and practicing independently. He practiced every day for at least one hour.
Julia McGarrity (11), a Soprano singer, states she spent around 8 hours practicing and two days rehearsing.
The students have to spend a lot of their time practicing and are challenged with more advanced music compared to what they perform at our school.
The night started with the Honor Band, Conducted by Dr. Erik Johnson. The band played four pieces: Mambo Perro Loco by Julie Giroux, Salvation is Created by Patel Tchesnokov, arr. Bruce Houseknecht, Suite Provencale by Jan Van Der Roost, and Jinx by Ryan George.
“Mambo Perro was energetic and fun,” states Schell when talking about his favorite piece he played.
The Honor Choir was next, with Dr. Nathan Payant conducting and Paul Falk as piano accompanist. They sang five beautiful songs: We Are the Music Makers by Reginal Wright, O Love by Elaine Hagenberg, Nisi Dominus by Baldassare Galuppi, Ed. Kevin T. Padsworski, Measure Me, Sky! By Jonathan Reid and TaReKiTa by Reena Esmail.
“Probably Nisi Dominus… it’s somewhat a fast paced type song, it was very beautiful, and I liked all the dynamics of the parts, and when they blended together.” Sammi Miller expresses. McGaritty seconds this opinion, with Nisi Dominus being their favorite song out of the five they sang.
Mr. Kevin Noe conducted the following three songs with the Honor Orchestra. ¡Bienvenido júbilo! (Jubilant Overture)* by Ivette Herryman Todríguez (b.1082), Pavane by Gabriel Fauré (1845 – 1924), and Night on Bald Mountain by Modest Mussorgsky (1839 – 1881).
*The Herry Rodriguez was commissioned by the Florida Orchestra Association for the Florida All-State Orchestra in 2022
Daphne Vogt (11) was our only LHS student in the Orchestra Strings, with two other LHS students in the Orchestra Percussion. Vogt plays the Viola. This is her second time performing in the Continental League Honor Music Festival.
“Definitely the hardest piece of the concert, but it was super fun and interesting. it had a lot of modern components that you typically don’t get to play and experiment with.” Vogt talks about her favorite song, Night on Bald Mountain, that the Orchestra played.
The night ended with the Combined Ensembles Finale, conducted by Kevin Noe, and they performed America, the Beautiful By Samuel A. Ward arr. Carmen Dragon.
Even though their performances were time-consuming and required much effort, many students say it was worth it and hope to do it again next year.
Also, they met students from different schools throughout the process.
“Everyone was very nice,” Miller shares.
“We got to meet new people and sing with many different choirs,” McGarrity expresses
“It’s awesome getting to know kids from other schools, especially in the district because then you see them around later and it’s cool,” says Vogt.
The performance given by our 22 LHS students was one to remember. Make sure to attend next year to experience our fellow students’ exceptional talents. If you want to join them and others, stay on top of any updates from Mr. Emmons and, or Ms. Taylor next semester!
“The most rewarding thing is being able to put on a good show and being proud of the work you and the rest of the ensemble have done,” Vogt says, excited for next year’s festival.
