State Piano Update
Great news! Both of the young women who qualified for the state piano festival earned a "I" rating and gold medal! Congratulations to Elizabeth and Brenna (see story below). It was a treat to hear them both play and have great success! 2.22.10
Huck and Beeson Head to State Piano, Again!
Elizabeth Huck and Brenna Beeson of Scott Community High School competed in the regional piano festival at Fort Hays State University on 6 February 2010. Both young pianists once again qualified for the state piano festival by receiving a "I" rating at regionals. The state festival will be held on 20 February 2010 on the campus of Wichita State University.
Elizabeth, daughter of Lance and Irene Huck, is making her fourth consecutive trip to the state contest. She is a senior at SCHS, participating in percussion ensemble, French horn solo, concert and marching band, and piano. Her competition piece was "Mercutio" from the ballet Romeo and Juliet by Sergei Prokofiev. Elizabeth is a member of Nolan Piano Lab, studying with Marian Nolan.
Brenna is the daughter of Tony and Erica Beeson and is currently a sophomore at SCHS. She has qualified for state for the second time in her high school career. She is a member of Encore, under the direction of Amy Norris. Brenna played "The Storm" by Johann Friederich Burgmuller. Her piano instructor is Nelda Blackwell.
Best wishes to these two fine young women! 2.10.10
"Wind in the Willows"
Congratulations and lots of accolades to EVERYONE who helped produce Wind in the Willows". It was superb!!!
Above: Mole (Karita Geist) celebrates the coming of spring as she emerges from her burrow.
Above: Rat and Mole take a trip down Rat's river in the musical "Wind in the Willows". Rat is portrayed by Jordan Snow and Mole is played by Karita Geist.
Below: Toad (Shiloh Duff) is happy to be with his two dear friends, Mole and Rat (Jordan Snow), as they sing "That's What Friends Are For".
Above: Toad gets himself into trouble (again) by "borrowing" a Frenchman's car!
Below: As a result, Toad gets arrested and sent to jail. Left to Right: Bobby 1, Wylie Yeager; Sergeant, Michael Beaver; Bobby 2, Malachi Schroeder; Frenchman, Christian Weston; and Toad under the car!
Above: The Weasel and Stoats sing "We're Moving Up in the World" as they take over Toad Hall. Chief Weasel (Aaron Kucharik) and Chief Stoat (Lauren Apperson) lead their respective bands of ne'er-do-wells.
Below: Toad coerces Mary, the Jailer's daughter (Catherine Huck) out of her dress and apron as he plans his escape.
Below: Father Rabbit (Michael Beaver) and Mother Rabbit (Evelyn Craig) and their new crop of bunnies sing about "Friends" with Rat and Mole as Badger (Alex Myers) and Toad plan how to get Toad Hall back from the Weasels and Stoats.
SCHS Musical "Wind in the Willows" Information
"Wind in the Willows " Cast 11.10.09
USD 466 Calendar Link
http://usd466.mhsoftware.com/
4A State Music Festival Success!
The musicians of the SCHS Vocal and Band Programs had a tremendous day of success in Andover this past Saturday, April 25, 2009. Once again, the tremendous talent and efforts of vocal director, Amy Norris, resulted in three of four ensembles and four of seven vocal soloists receiving "I" ratings in state competition. The judges were being predictably stingy with that top rating since it was state, and all of the students gave wonderful performances. Kudos to Beth Hess, accompanist supreme, for all of her great piano playing and care of our students!!! (4.27.09)
The band musicians, under the direction of Shawn Henderson and Mike Quilling also had a tremendous day, bringing home three "I" ratings and one "II" rating.
Here are the results!:
Encore (select mixed ensemble): I
Sugar and Spice (select girls' ensemble): II
Girls' Ensemble: I
Notables (select mens' ensemble): I
Vocal Solos: Shiloh Duff, tenor, I; K.C. Kough, tenor, I; Jordan Snow, tenor, II; Aaron Kucharik, tenor, II; Amber Kuckelman, soprano, I; Katelin Murphy, soprano, I; Katie Brau, soprano, II.
Mallet Ensemble: I
Instrumental Solos: Elizabeth Huck, French Horn, I;Janie Gunther, snare drum, I; Cecelia Rosenlund, marimba, II.
2009 SCHS Pops Concert
Well, if you missed it, I AM sorry...
The SCHS Pops Concert was FANTASTIC!!! Congratulations to our hard-working, brilliant vocal music director Amy Norris, her incredible accompanist Beth Hess, and band directors Shawn Henderson, Mike Quilling, and Chris Johnson.
Above is a photo of the vocal group "Encore" as they present Michael Jackson's Man in the Mirror. The theme of the program was "Awesome 80s" and that title was especially apropos to the quality of the performances given by the students and several adult members of the community. Hey, you also missed Craig Ramsey singing a couple of Billy Joel tunes, backed by the harmonies of the mens' ensemble---my favorite! 3.27.09Huck and Beeson Headed to State Piano Festival
Elizabeth Huck and Brenna Beeson will be representing Scott Community High School at the KSHSAA State Piano Festival on February 21, 2009. The festival is held on the campus of Wichita State University. Both pianists qualified by receiving "I" ratings at the KSHSAA Regional Festival at Fort Hays State University on February 7, 2009.
Brenna, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tony Beeson, is a freshman at SCHS. Her selection at regional festival was the third movement of a Clementi Sonatina. This will be her first trip to state competition, after earning the coveted "I" rating in Hays. Brenna studies with Nelda Blackwell.
Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lance Huck, will be making her third consecutive trip to Wichita, qualifying in her freshman, sophomore, and now, junior years. Her competition piece is Sonata I by George Gershwin. She is a member of Nolan Piano Lab, studying with Marian Nolan.
Elizabeth and Brenna will also be competing in the Scott City Junior Music Festival, as well as the Garden City Piano Festival. 2.17.09
Four Selected for State Festival Choir
Four students from the vocal program at SCHS, under the direction of Amy Norris, have been selected by audition for the KMEA State Festival Choir. Aaron Kucharik, tenor, Kaleb Knighton, bass, Shiloh Duff, tenor, and Amanda Legg, alto, will all be participating in the honor choir's rehearsals and performances later in February at the KMEA annual conference. K. C. Kough, tenor, and Karita Geist, alto, were also chosen as alternates. Congratulations to all of the fine musicians selected for the state festival groups, both choir and band!!!
For more information and the state choir roster, please follow this link to the KMEA website:
http://www.ksmea.org/programs/festivalgroups/hschoir/roster09.php
1.18.09
Huck and Gunther Make State Honor Band
Elizabeth Huck, junior at SCHS, and Janie Gunther, senior, have both been selected to participate in the Kansas Music Educators Association State Honor Band. Elizabeth plays French Horn, while Janie is a percussion player. Their instructors are Shawn Henderson and Mike Quilling. The performance will be during the KMEA convention in Wichita during the last weekend in February. Please visit the following website for information, including dates and the state festival band roster:
http://www.ksmea.org/programs/festivalgroups/hschoir/roster09.php
1.18.09
SC Middle School Honor Choir and Band Students
Four SCMS choir students and two SCMS band students attended the 2008 KMEA Honor Choir and Band Festival on Saturday, November 8th at the Dodge City Middle School. Choir students are chosen by their middle school director. Band musicians must submot an audition tape in order to be selected. After working with the area clinician from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the performed a concert for their families and friends later in the afternoon. Students from all over southwest Kansas participated in the festival, which is sponsored by the Kansas Music Educators Association. 12.12.08
Scott City vocalists: Callan Rice, Chelsi Hess, Anthony Gardner, and Cristobal Lopez
Scott City band musicians: Kiersten Scott and Andrea Smith
KMEA Musicians Selected
Congratulations to our SCHS vocal students who auditioned for the Southwest Kansas Music Educators Association District Choir. Sixteen vocalists auditioned for the event, with fifteen being selected. On December 6, 2008, they traveled to Dodge City where they rehearsed and performed in the district honor choir with 200 students from the southwest district.
Our SCHS students participating were:
Basses: Kaleb Knighton, Alex Myers, and Jordon Snow
Tenors: Shiloh Duff, Aaron Kucharik, and K.C. Kough
Altos: Lauren Apperson, Evelyn Craig, Amanda Legg, Catherine Huck, Karita Geist, and Shannon Blair
Sopranos: Amber Kuckelman, Brinlee Griffith, and Jessie Woofter 12.11.08
Elizabeth Huck Earns Gold at State Piano Festival
SCHS sophomore Elizabeth Huck traveled to the Kansas State Piano Festival at Wichita State University on Saturday, February 16, 2008. She qualified for state two weeks earlier by earning a "I" rating at the Regional Festival at Fort Hays State University. Playing "The Cat and the Mouse" by Aaron Copland, Elizabeth was awarded the highest rating for her performance---a "I" and a gold medal. She will also be competing at the Kansas Junior Federated Festival on March 8, 2008 in Scott City and the Garden City Piano Festival on March 26, 2008. Elizabeth has attended Piano Camp at FHSU during the summer of 2007 and intends to return this coming summer.
Elizabeth is the daughter of Lance and Irene Huck. She studies piano with Marian Nolan. 2.18.07
Nineteen SCHS Music Events Qualify for State Festival
We had an outstanding day! SCHS took 29 events to regional festival at Garden City Community College on March 31st and received 19 Superior (I) ratings and 9 Excellent (II) ratings. Those groups and individuals who received I's will go on to 3A State competition on April 28th at SouthEast of Saline High School. We will be taking 35 students to State.
The following vocal groups participated and received the listed ratings:
Encore I, Sugar and Spice I, Encore Girls' Sextet I, Men's Ensemble I, and Sugar and Spice Girl's Ensemble II.
The following vocal soloists participated and received the listed ratings:
Lisa Gamble- I, Sierra Gregory- II, Erin Mettlen- II, Lisa Geist- I, Katie Schemm- I, Amber Kuckelman- I, Jill Kuckelman- I, Lacey Harvey- I, Kassie Folsom- I, Majken Eckels- I, Amanda Kennedy- I, Parker Artz- I, Jordon Snow- II, and Travis Reece- II.
The following instrumental group participated and received the listed rating:
Flute Trio-II.
The following instrumentalists participated and recieved the listed ratings:
Erin Mettlen-trumpet solo I, Erin Mettlen-marimba solo I, Emily Bennion-flute solo I, Justina Wishon-flute solo II, Santanna McBride-flute solo II, Adam Taylor-clarinet solo II, Kory Alexander-trombone solo II, Justin Sauer-Snare Drum solo I, and Lydia Craig-violin solo I.
(My personal congratulations to all of these students. Their achievements and efforts are great. Their instructors are outstanding---Amy Norris, Beth Hess, Shawn Henderson, and Courtney Williams. Beth gets a special star for all of her accompanying. It just wouldn't happen at all without her!!! Good luck at State!!!) 4.4.07
Scheuerman and Huck Compete at Regional Piano
Scott Community High School students Andrea Scheuerman and Elizabeth Huck traveled to Fort Hays State University on Saturday, February 3rd, for the Kansas State High School Activities Association Regional Piano Festival. Pianists from all classes (1A through 6A) of schools compete at five different regional sites held at colleges throughout the state of Kansas. Those students who earn a "I" rating on their performance qualify to compete at the KSHSAA State Piano Festival at Wichita State University on Saturday, February 17, 2007. At the state level, pianists will be divided by their grade level and will perform in a venue with other students their age.
Andrea Scheuerman, daughter of Randy and Cindy Scheuerman, is a senior at SCHS. This is her fourth consecutive performance at the regional festival. Her performance selection was the "adagio sostenuto" (1st movement) of the Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven. Andrea received a "II" rating this year. Her piano instructor is Nelda Blackwell.
Elizabeth Huck is the daughter of Lance and Irene Huck. She is a freshman at SCHS and this was her first year in competition at Hays in the KSHSAA contest. She selected "Sonata in A Major, L391" by Scarlatti. Elizabeth earned a "I" rating for her efforts, a gold medal, and a trip to the state contest in two weeks. She studies with Marian Nolan.
Congratulations to these fine young pianists. 2.4.07
SCHS Music Programs Continue Their Success
Thirteen musicians auditioned for the Southwest District Honor Choir and Band in November. Twelve of these musicians were selected to participate in the district ensembles. This is quite an accomplishment for the SCHS music program. On December 2, 2006, those students selected spent the day at the Dodge City High School in rehearsal with clinicians, and later performed in the honor band and choir in a joint concert. Congratulations to the following students for their accomplishments:
Choir Sopranos--Lacey Harvey, Amber Kuckelman, Amanda Kennedy, Majken Eckels
Choir Altos--Kassie Folsom
Choir Tenors--K.C. Kough, Aaron Kuckarik
Choir Basses--Parker Artz, Travis Reece, Jordon Snow
Band Clarinet--Adam Taylor; Band Trombone--Kory Alexander
Another tremendous honor has come to three vocalists from Amy Norris' choral program. The following vocalists made State Honor Choir (from auditions at district):
Majken Eckels and Amber Kuckelman as 2nd sopranos, and Parker Artz as a Bass II
Alternates are Kassie Folsom, alto and Amanda Kennedy, Soprano.
They will perform in Wichita next spring as part of the Kansas Music Educators Association convention. Need I say it?---Congratulations to Amy Norris, Shawn Henderson, Beth Hess, and their super students. (And aren't I lucky to get to help out in the spring with solos!?) 12.12.06
Honk, Jr. was Fantastic!
Sharilyn Wasinger brought the musical, Honk, Jr., to life on June 23 and 24, 2006. She is the director of the Scott County Theater for Children. Many of our young, talented actors in the community had worked very hard to ready the production for an eager Scott County audience. The performances were held in the Maria DeGeer Center for the Performing Arts at Scott Community High School on Friday, June 23rd and Saturday, June 24th. The young people of Scott City did an awesome job with this musical. The music was challenging, but they stepped up to the plate and delivered many memorable performances during the evening. Music Director was Nancy Green. Please take time to congratulate Sharilyn, Nancy, and these kids when you see them in town. They delighted all of us. Isn't it great that we have teachers like this who are so willing to provide instruction and fun for our kids!
Below: Ida (Kaitlin Brau) instructs her new ducklings (Beaky-Emma Price, Fluff-Carson Haupt, Billy-Lizzy Eikenberry, Downy-Kallie Arnold) after they have just hatched.
Above: Drake (Christopher Green) wonders what he might have done wrong to have a new son who is so ugly. Below: The duckings make fun of their new brother, Ugly (Lane Turner).
Above: The Cat (Courtney Wright) lurks in the background and watches as the ducklings make Ugly feel unloved enough to follow The Cat home for dinner. (Uh-oh!) Below: Greylag and his formation of geese prepare to take the cat back to the farm.
Above: Ugly molts after a winter storm and finds out what Penny has tried to tell him all along---he is a swan!
Above: The new Ugly explains to his mother Ida why she will always be his mother, even though he has found out that he is really a swan! He also introduces Ida to Penny (Kelsey Kuckelman), his new friend who decides to stay at the farm with Ugly and the Ducks.
The Cast: Ugly-Lane Turner, Ida-Kaitlyn Brau, Drake-Christopher Green, Beaky-Emma Price, Fluff-Carson Haupt, Billy-Lizzy Eikenberry, Downy-Kallie Arnold, Maureen-Callan Rice, The Cat-Courtney Wright, The Turkey-Bailey Nickel, Henrietta/Female Solo-Rachel Anliker, Greylag-Wyatt Eitel, Dot-Brenna Beeson, Barnacles-Megan Thornburg, Snowy-Angel Derstine, Pinkfoot-Krista Kucharik, Grace/Female Solo-Rebekah Anliker, Bullfrog-Jessi Woofter, Father Swan-Jordan Swanson, Mother Swan-Kelly Wycoff, Penny-Kelsey Kuckleman, Bewick-Audrey Lacoy, Jaybird-Chandra Martin
Ducks & Ducklings: Kylee Trout, Ellie Irwin, Marissa Morris, Heidi Neely
Froglets: Paige Winderlin, Abbi Manke, Jadan Heinz, Madison Braun, Jody Gunther
Swans: Samantha Wright, Hope Neely (Revised 6/28/06)
SCHS Vocal Program Has Strong Showing at State Music Festival
SCHS Choral Director Amy Norrisis a tremendous vocal teacher. We all know that! Well, she and the students she lovingly coaches came back from the State Small Ensemble and Solo Contest with five "I" ratings for all of their efforts. I don't know if I can communicate how difficult it is for soloists and ensembles to earn the top rating at state. We all appreciate the efforts of athletes and the practice it takes to win a state championship in wrestling or track, or for a team to win a state championship. Music students and their teachers practice equally as hard and it is equally as difficult to be given the top rating. The select mixed ensemble, Encore, and the select female ensemble, Sugar and Spice, both received highest honors. Vocal soloists earning "I" ratings are Kassie Folsom, Amanda Kennedy,and Lidia Labra. Lidia actually received two "I" ratings, one in vocal solo and one in instrumental (flute) solo, (plus her involvement in Encore). Music is such an important component in the education of our students. Please take time to thank all the music instructors in the community when you get an opportunity.(5/21/06)
Left: Encore performed earlier this year at the Scott County Teachers Association annual banquet. Members are: Amber Kuckelman, Gage Casey, Nicole Alexander, Winston Sattler, Maijken Eckels, Parker Artz, Jill Kuckelman, Ben Mettlen, Erin Mettlen, Travis Reece, Lidia Labra, and K.C. Kough. Right: Maijken Eckels performs at the Majestic. Her accompanist is Beth Hess.
Blackwell and Nolan Students Perform at GCPF
Piano students of Nelda Blackwell and Marian Nolan participated in the 24th Annual Garden City Piano Festival. The event was held at Garden City Community College on March 17-18, 2006. Clinicians James Rivers, Julie Rivers, and Linda Neigert worked with area piano students from Scott City, Garden City, Sublette, Greensburg, Satanta, Lakin, Johnson, Liberal, Dodge City, Dighton, and Syracuse. Students were given instruction on piano technique during a ten minute mini-lesson or a thirty minute master lesson. Out of 120 students who participated, twenty were selected to perform (ten each night) on evening recitals prior to a duo piano concert given by James and Julie Rivers. Brenna Beeson, student of Mrs. Blackwell, was selected for the Friday recital and played "The Sultan's Ride", composed by Lucy W. Warren. Elizabeth Huck was selected to play on the Saturday evening recital (see photo below). Students from Scott City who participated were: Andrea Scheuerman, Monica Beeson, Kiersten Scott, Brenna Beeson, Callan Rice, and Elizabeth Huck.
Photo: Miss Elizabeth Huck performs "Appalachian Reverie" by Sarah Louise Dittenhaver at the Garden City Piano Festival select recital on Saturday, March 18, 2006. (3/19/06)