On the morning of Thursday, October 11, Lawrence High School A Cappella Choir students loaded onto the bus and set out for the hour and a half ride to Kansas State University, where they attended the Chanticleer invitational choir. Only four other high school choirs were invited, not including the K-State choirs.
“When the invitation came, I jumped on it right away because this is a rare opportunity. I have watched Chanticleer do this type of clinic with the KU Glee Club, so I knew how good it was gonna be,” LHS choir director Dwayne Dunn said.
“I thought it was an honor. There were four other choirs there, and then the K-state choirs, and everyone that sang was really good,” senior A Capella singer Cooper Grant said.
But what exactly is the Chanticleer Choir? Chanticleer is a prestigious, Grammy-Award winning choir made up of 12 Tenors and Basses–including 6 countertenors, a male voice part which sings as high as up to mezzo-soprano and soprano parts. The group tours and sings music from all different historical periods, styles, and genres.
Once the A Cappella choir arrived at K-State, they watched Chanticleer perform. After Chanticleer sang two pieces for them, it was A Cappella Choirs’ turn to take the stage. A Cappella performed two pieces, which they had sung a few nights prior at their Fall concert: “Singing Bring Me.” This time around they were able to receive feedback and criticism from the members of Chanticleer.
“I learned that it’s really nerve wracking to have strict flaws picked apart in front of everyone. But in the end, it really improved our tone. So I think getting help from different sources and different opinions really helps improve anything,” junior A Cappella singer Samantha Jenkins said.
After singing for Chanticleer, they were able to watch other choirs from all over the Midwest do the same and receive feedback.
“It was kind of a long day, and at times, it could be slow-moving logistically, but I hope everyone had some moments where they were able to look at it, step back, and say, ‘wow, this is a really cool thing, and I’m listening to some great music,’ and they were able to enjoy the moments,” Grant said.
Being invited to events like these reflect on the strong foundation of choirs here at Lawrence High School,
“These are the kind of opportunities that come because people want to recognize that excellence…I think we’ve earned that. It’s been earned over the years,” Dunn said. “Hopefully, this is a step in continuing that legacy for the future, and future A Capella choirs.”
