WHEATLAND – The Wheatland High School auditorium was filled with people and with music May 2 as the annual Festival Concert went forth.
From sixth-grade through seniors in high school, the large group of choral students thrilled the choral fans who had come out to listen to the soothing sounds. Choral director Chris Leathers, always progressive in his musical choices and getting more out of his students than you could imagine did not disappoint with the lineup he produced.
First onstage were the sixth and seventh grade choir who performed the songs Shady Grove arranged by Cristi Cary Miller and The Road Not Taken which was an adaptation from poet Robert Frost and arranged by Ruth Elaine Schram. The group finished up with Rainsong by Mary Lynn Lightfoot which was a great spring song that was both whimsical and had some high energy from the songsters. Throughout the piece, both the piano and voices emulated the rhythms of falling rain. It was an incredible choice to end their season.
The seventh and eighth grade choir came with their three songs, Hisakata (The Gentle Light of Spring) arranged by Victor C. Johnson, Be Who You Are by Ryan Main and Closer to the Flame by Boersma/Lantz III. This choir has improved so much from the previous year and especially wowed the audience with the rendition of Be Who You Are.
The Treble Choir came up next with the Concert Choir on deck. The Trebles gave us Give us Hope arranged by Francisco J. Nunez Banks, Banks of Doon by Donna Gartman Schultz and In Tine of Siver Rain by Sarah Quartel which was by far one of the best songs of the night with rich melody and harmony mixes.
The Concert Choir came up and got everyone’s attention immediately with the lament of a weary traveler who was far from his home. The song was written somewhere in the late 1800s or early 1900s and was rewritten as a folk song in 1963 and renamed 500 miles. It was made popular by such groups as The Journeymen, The Kingston Trio and also Peter, Paul and Mary.
The next song, “The Sea is So Wide” which comes from a Breton fisherman’s prayer and it’s saying came to light in the early ‘60s as President John F. Kennedy had it engraved on a plaque that sat on his desk. The choir then got back to the gospel roots of early 1900’s revival with a song “Yes, Indeed,” made popular in 1941 by Tommy Dorsey and his orchestra. The choir had the audience’s feet tapping. A good rendition of the 1941 song can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bi88MGxJShE
And for the coup de grace and the final songs of the evening, the Festival Entertainers came on and as always was a crowd favorite doing the songs Ad Astrata (to the stars) by Jacob Narverud, When the Light of Morning Breaks by PINKZEBRA and an old sea shanty favorite, “The Wellerman” which drew big smiles from the audience as the three-man trio of Kit Winter, Reilly Mixon and Damion Bohndorf got into the vocal character of three fishermen as, backed by the ensemble, it became a tune that people were singing all the way to the foyer after the concert… “ Soon may the Wellerman come, to bring us sugar and tea and rum. One day, when the tonguing is done, we'll take our leave and go.”
Truly a song to leave the audience with fond memories of night that showcased a very talented director, a last-minute piano player, Mr. Michael Lechner who was superb on the piano and very talented troubadours.
It a special onstage presentation of white carnations, the senior flower, Leathers honored each senior and handed out a flower. The seniors are: Seniors: Kit Winter, Colin Jones, David Bookout, Jazmine Cain, Veronika Drozd and Keagan Williams
The choir enjoyed many accolades in the state competition both as a group and individuals this year. The Festival Performances
Entertainers earned a Superior, the Concert Choir earned an Excellent ant theTreble Choir earned an Excellent. Individuals that won awards were David Bookout -vocal solo who received an Excellent, Shelbi Morgan – vocal solo received a Superior and Hannah Lee – vocal solo received an Excellent.
Sixth/Seventh grade Choir: Oliver Baez, Noah Bryan, Josie Burr, Emma Crowley, Cesar Diaz Hervert, Ronon Hughes, Hannah James, Jaxon Kafka, Jaylen Kaufman, Ethan Lee, Milisa Murray, Griffin Nichols, Edward Olson, A'Moni Reinert, Chloe Rukavina, Karlie Rukavina, Bentlee Schubert, Calan Arellano, Jaylyn Chavez, Mya Collins, Brady Donnelly, Jaya McDonald, Fletcher McKee, Avery Parkin, Greyson Wright
Seventh/Eighth grade Choir: Erica Biggs, Brook Caswell, Gracie Chebotarev, Kaydence Coryell, Alanna Edwards, Tylen Foland, Aubree Hattan, Emilio Jenkins, Kaven Karr, Kavon Powell, Rio Wright, Lily Anderson, Braxton Anna, Ava Boersma, Davis, Shayden Hagen, Gabriel James, Jessie Kauffman, Ashley Knott, Hunter Masters, Christopher Molly McGuire, Andy Navarro, Tatum Nichols, Yorge Rubio, Trenton Stanford, Madison Westberg, Icle Williams, Mekenna Garcia, Hayden Kaiser, Madilyn Lange
Treble Choir: Nichole Biggs, Jazmine Cain, Heaven Elsom, Chelsea Hedstrom, Jenna Karr, Hannah Lee, Ashlyn Streets, Elle Tolle, Shelbi Morgan, Hunter Sisson, Rory Winter
Concert Choir: Cadence Arellano, Teagan Arellano, Juanito Bell, McKenzie Bell, Allison Blum, Damion Bohndorf, David Bookout, Ricky Bryan, Bradley Cain, Jazmine Cain, Megan Cecil, Becca Crowley, Collin Jones, Gavin May, Akira Daves, Veronika Drozd, Bryanna Durland, Mikayla Durland, Michael Eagleton, Andrew Haecker, Savannah Haecker, Jenah Hoagland, Seth Lorenz, Haylie Louthan, Aiden Megeath, Eleni McKee, Shelbi Morgan, Gabby Nepgen, Lola Philo, Maria Skager, Kalyn Snook, Bryley Waring, Kaelyn Wessel, Keagan Williams, Kit Winter
Entertainers: Cadence Arellano, Teagan Arellano, Damion Bohndorf, Megan Cecil, Becca Crowley, Collin Jones, Gavin May, Eleni McKee, Reilly Mixson, Shelbi Morgan, Lola Philo, Bryley Waring, Kit Winter
