The Mirror / We're No. 'I': Band, chorus honored

Archive for Wednesday, May 14, 2008

May 14, 2008

One might be the loneliest number, but not for the Tonganoxie High School band and chorus members who recently came back from a Class 4A state competition in Andover.

Both the women’s ensemble chorus and several band members received a “I” rating at the competition.

“We have never had that many kids go to state at this level,” said THS band instructor Charles Van Middlesworth. “It’s pretty exciting. We had so many kids, we had to take two buses. We just haven’t had a situation like that where we’re overflowing with kids. The opportunity is just awesome.”

Because the men’s chorus didn’t qualify, THS vocal instructor Tom Gifford said a lot more pressure was riding on the women’s ensemble to get a good rating.

Not only did the women get the top rating, they got it from one Marie Lerner-Sexton, who Gifford thinks is a stickler for technique.

“She’s such a respected judge and conductor in the state of Kansas that it was just very rewarding to have her give the girls a ‘I’ rating performance,” he said.

Although Gifford’s group didn’t do as well as last year, he hopes to get even more “I” ratings next year.

The women’s ensemble consisted of: Alisha Barnes, Maggie Derzinski, Lacie Falk, Bradi Hilker, Amber Hornback, Kay Kolman, Ashlee Lohman, Caila McPherson, Kayla Oelschlaeger, Erin Sours, Ashley Stockman and Lydia Thoa.

Seth Bohanon and Christopher Jordan received a “I” rating for their vocal solos and Lydia Thao received a “III” rating for her solo.

For the band Geoffry Towns, Caleb Wager, Nicole Gersbeck, Nic Irick, Lindsey Gonser, Jake Bontrager and Kyle Gersbeck received a “III” rating. Ryan Wolfe and Laura Dyster received a “II” rating; Ryan Brammer, Cody Somers, Lana Dominguez, Matt Marquette, Kayla Oelschlaeger, Rex Hancock and Ben Field received a “I” rating.