Melodies and harmonies will be heard all over FHSU’s Malloy Hall and Beach Schmidt. Hand-selected choir and band students are to attend KMEA District Saturday Dec. 8.

Sophomore Ben Rajewski auditioned for district band on the trombone. The band will be playing “Songs of Paradise”, “Washington Post”, “Over the Rainbow”, “Old Churches” and “Gallop”.

“I’m not looking forward to the 7:30 a.m. call time,” Rajewski said. “I wish I could sleep in since I’ve been having 6 a.m. practices for swimming all week. I look forward to playing with everybody and learning more and giving everyone a great concert.”

While some students will be practicing at Beach Schmidt for band, choir students will be rehearsing at Malloy Hall.

“I sing the alto two part,” sophomore Abby Henry said. “I am looking forward to district, although the rehearsal is a little too early in the morning for me. My favorite song is probably “Os Justi”, because it’s very lyrical and I enjoy singing it.”

Each year, a different conductor works with the auditioned choir and band. Students enjoy the variety of teachers they work with.

“I’m looking forward to working with the clinician,” senior Dustin Mulkey said.  Singing with people from all over our district is a neat experience. I enjoy meeting new people.”

The choir section of district will be performing “Rejoice!”, “Os Justi”, “Flower of Beauty”, “Sing Unto God”, “See the Chariot at Hand”, and the traditional “Over the Rainbow” with the band.

“I can’t wait to perform,” junior Christine Beougher said. “My favorite song is “Flower of Beauty”. I’m glad we’re performing in the afternoon because my voice sounds better in the afternoon than in the morning.”

New groups of students make district each year and senior Spencer Greathouse is glad to make new friends over the years.

“I love seeing friends from out of town and going out to lunch with them,” Greathouse said. “It’s so good to catch up.”

13aarthur@usd489.com