Anna has spent the last couple months rehearsing “The Wizard of Oz” with the high school theater program. She has had rehearsal almost every weekday after school since before Christmas. Emily played flute in the pit.

I did musicals in both high school and college; Linda also played flute in the pit for musicals. This was quite a “circle of life” kind of moment. In addition, the musical director was a former classmate from our days as music majors at Kansas State University 25 years ago. Truly, a circle of life.

Anna was selected for several chorus/cast parts – she poured herself into each of the positions she was asked to perform. She was on stage several times, but the best was as a Munchkin. She had the absolutely best “munchkin voice”; one couldn’t help but smile when she spoke/sang her lines.

She also portrayed a resident of Oz; additionally, she portrayed a monkey and a “tornado” dancer (blinking strobe lights dancing around during the tornado scene).

Fortunately, we have one picture of Emily playing flute in the orchestra pit.

Finally, each cast member had a brief “biography” in the program. Here’s Anna’s text from the program:

Anna is very excited for her final show at South. Her previous roles at South are a Dance Hall Girl in Jekyll and Hyde, a chimney sweep and Ms Smythe in Mary Poppins, and Ensemble in Hairspray. She also played violin in the pit for Peter Pan and Pippin Outside of South, Anna has been ensemble in Beauty and the Beast and Suessical, Jr. At school, she is in Symphonic Orchestra, Heritage Choir, and the marching band. Outside school, she is in her church youth group and youth band, Girl Scouts, and piano. Anna would like to thank you mom, Linda, for teaching everything she knows about music, always being there for her, and being her biggest fan. Anna would also like to thank her grandparents for making the hour drive to come see her in every little thing she does, her dad and sister, current and previous music teachers, friends, and youth group leaders for their continuous support and Nina Molleson for teaching her not just dance, but the importance of being the best person you can be in life.

Linda has had her piano students play a Christmas recital each year at a local nursing home. It’s easily a favorite of the students – they get to play fun Christmas songs and it really pleases the audience. 

Enjoy the pieces played by Anna and Emily:

Anna: What Child is This?

Anna: Away in a Manger

Emily: O Holy Night/Silent Night

Emily: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

It’s that time of year when every kid in any kind of music activity at school is busy performing in concerts. With each of the girls in multiple music groups, we’ve spent the last 3 nights attending choir, band, and orchestra concerts. Frankly, it’s been great to be there and see the girls performing in their respective groups.

In case you weren’t able to make it, here is a sampling of music from each of the nights.

Choir
Anna sings “Still, Still, Still” with the Heritage Singers.

They also ended the evening with their traditional performance of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah; this is performed with band and orchestra students accompanying – a very nice job.

Band
Emily plays flute on a fun piece called “A Crazy Mixed Up Christmas Concert”.

Orchestra
Anna plays violin on “The Christmas Song” with the combined orchestras. One of Anna’s good friends, Victoria, sings along. Unfortunately, this concert is held in the school cafeteria with very poor acoustics and lighting (it’s a fundraising evening with desserts and drinks).