By Katie Coomes, GRHS Journalism Student On February 6, 11 Gordon Rushville High School students performed at the 52nd High Plains Band and Choir Festival.
In order to qualify for High Plains, high school students must send in a recording consisting of challenging music arranged by professors at Chadron State College.
It is difficult to get into the High Plains. Players and singers from several schools in Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming are eligible to audition. With many students auditioning each year, High Plains is difficult to qualify for.
At the festival, students who have qualified for all 4 years are recognized.
This year, an exceptional clarinetist, Allan Tullis, received this recognition.
“The High Plains concert has been something my family and I have looked forward to year after year. Playing in the Honor Band, I have always found something to learn every year, including making good music, playing
important life skills. The conductors have been such great characters with so much wisdom and expertise to share, it would be impossible to say they didn’t make the event special. I’ve had good memories making friends and having fun socializing. It’s both a pleasure and a gift to have been a part of the event for four years,” said Tullis.
Students qualifying from GRHS for band this year were; Allan Tullis, Lillee Schmidt, Brandon Kersey, Alice Tullis, and Katie Coomes. Students qualifying into the choir were; Louis Martin, Sam Gallant, Amara Funk, Claire Wellnitz, and Lainey Filmore. High Plains also included a guitar ensemble. GRHS freshman Jackson Roffers qualified and played in it.
Congratulations to all GRHS Band and Choir students that qualified and participated in the event.
Congratulations also go out to GRHS Band and Choir instructor George Meng for assisting his students in getting their performances recorded, fine-tuned, and submitted for consideration.