With the first of day of school just a memory, most students are back into a daily routine. The school district’s orchestras have been working hard every day to prepare music for the first concert of the year.

On Oct. 5, the high school, middle school and sixth grade orchestras had a combined concert at the high school, which started at 7 p.m.

The three orchestras have spent the first weeks of school preparing the chosen selections of director, Sarah Behal, to perform. Because of limited time to prepare, this concert was a preview performance, so parents, family members and other community members could see what is to come from the orchestra at future concerts this year.

The sixth grade orchestra has limited rehearsal time because they do not meet every day. They only have lessons and a large group rehearsal each week. Because of the limited time to rehearse, the students performed one song.

Their selection was “The Abandoned Funhouse,” by Brian Balmages.

Sophomore Thomas Biggs provided a piano accompaniment.

The seventh and eighth graders took the stage next with three combined pieces and one that only the eighth graders performed.

The first piece for the two grades was “Our Heroes,” by Susan Day. “Expectations,” by Larry Clark was up next for seventh and eighth graders. The last selection the two groups played together was “Storm the Gates,” by Alan Lee Silva. “Fire in the Bow,” was for the eighth graders alone.

The high school orchestra took the stage next to perform their four pieces.

“The Hanging Tree,” from “The Hunger Games” was the first selection for the high school students. The piece was written by Suzanne Collins, Jeremiah Fraites and Wesley Schultz. The piece was arranged by Larry Moore.

The next selection was “Starlight,” by Muse. The piece was written by Matthew Bellamy and arranged by Sasha Ivanov and Derek Stein.

“Rosin Eating Zombies from Outer Space,” by Richard Meyer was the third piece played.

To close the concert, the high school school orchestra performed “Shut Up and Dance,” by Walk the Moon. The selection was arranged by Larry Moore. Biggs added a little extra help to the song by playing the drums.

For anyone who missed the concert, the Lakeview, Kimpton and high school orchestras will be having an all-city orchestra concert on Tues. Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium.

Homecoming 2016 is coming up soon. Every year there are a total of eight couples for King and Queen of homecoming. One freshman couple, one sophomore couple, two junior couples, and four senior couples.

Student council decides these nominees by an online vote the students participate in. Student council has a strict policy of no repeats, which means if one was on homecoming court once you cannot be on court again the following year.

Freshman nominees are Jenna Madgar and Nick Maar. Sophomore nominees are Emily Flower and Danny Schneider. Junior nominees are Audrey Grone and Collin Murray, and Sophi Perez and Connor Jenkins. Senior nominees are Annaleigh Koch and Eric Friedt, Gaby Odak and Joe Gobble, Kayla Ramsey and Jordan Jolly, finally Ashley Miller and Mason Gainey.

Homecoming is on Saturday, September 24. Nominees will ride in the homecoming parade on Friday, September 23. During halftime of the game they will announce homecoming king and queen of 2016.

By Grace Flinn

Singing goodbye to the seniors of the choir program, the Spring Pops concert was held in the auditorium for the last concert of the year.  The choir program had practiced for two months to present their hard work on Mon., May 16.  

All choirs at the high school were involved in this performance including the Specialty Acts. The Specialty Acts are members who perform solos or duets. This performance was different than usual because most of the choirs had choreography involved with the songs they are singing.  

Also, some members of the band performed back-up music. The choir program as a whole is directed by Mr. Champagna. Freshman Thomas Biggs is in charge of the Pit Band, and in charge of the choreography is graduate Zack Triscari.

In order to be apart of the choir program, all grades ninth through twelfth were able to audition, aside from the mixed chorus, and auditions are held at the beginning of each year. For one to be apart of a Specialty Act, they audition for that spot before each concert.

“I enjoy meeting new people and exploring new abilities in myself. Learning new music and making memories with friends I’ve made is a plus as well,” sophomore choir member Bre Radcliffe said.

People in the choir program face many obstacles of stage-fright or nervousness, and teach themselves how to overcome their fear to express their amazing talents. Each year the members are making new friends while improving their voices to show the community what they have accomplished.

“I don’t get as nervous anymore because I’ve been in choir since first grade, but I do get nervous when I have solos. Basically, thinking positive about yourself and what you sing and present on stage is a big part of performing,” Radcliffe said.

Confidence plays a big role while on stage. Anyone is welcome to go and see the hard work the choir has done to make this performance possible.