-
Ben Beggs, double bassist, performs on the bass during the choral concert. Shawnee Choral Society held the concert May 3.
-
Josh Markley, baritone and soloist, sings a solo in the choir during this concert. Markley holds a doctorate of musical arts in voice.
-
Jane Brokenichy, soprano and soloist, performs as a female soloist in the choral concert. Brokenichy holds degrees in music education, choral conducting and vocal performance.
-
Ben Holcomb, collaborative pianist and director of choirs at Washburn Rural High School, performs the piano during the concert. Holcomb performed “Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No.1.”
-
Erin Wood, harpist, pauses during the concert when her part ends. Total of seven pieces were performed during this concert.
-
Violinists of the choral concert perform under the direction of Nicolas Carr, artistic director and conductor of Shawnee Choral Society. They performed in the orchestra part of the concert.
-
Performers bow down to the audience before the concert starts as a show of respect to the audience for attending their concert. This concert was held in White Concert Hall.
-
Carr is conducting the concert. Carr has 20 years of experience in directing musical groups.
-
Musicians perform on cello in the choral concert. Shawnee Choral Society was collecting the donation during the concert for their operating costs.
-
Carr introduces the solo performer of the concert. He got a master of music education in choral conducting from Kansas State University and a bachelor of music education from Washburn University.
On Saturday, May 3, Shawnee Choral Society held a concert at White Concert Hall from 7 – 8:30 p.m. A total of seven pieces were performed during this concert.
Nicolas Carr, artistic director and conductor of the Shawnee Choral Society, has 20 years of experience leading various musical groups, including bands, strings, handbells, choral ensembles and barbershop groups. Carr expressed that this concert was successful in making connections with the audience.
“It’s a little tricky in a concert like this,” Carr said. “Because there’s no clapping in between movements and there’s no stopping, but I feel like maybe that grabs their focus even better, and they really have to pay attention and try to soak it all in.”
Shawnee Choral Society received a scholarship from Washburn University to use White Concert Hall for the performance. As a community group, members helped promote the concert through their affiliations with local churches and businesses.
Chelsea Kancsar, oboist, expressed feeling great after the concert due to its excellent turnout. Kancsar shared her preparation process for the event.
“Just like a normal performance, I got the music and listened to recordings,” Kancsar said. “Especially the one that they sent us, and got some different tempo ideas for preparation for whenever they were, whatever they might be here, especially when you’re putting it together in a live group, you never know what you’re gonna get. So prepare things in different tempos.”
The event also marked a collaboration with the Lawrence Civic Choir, celebrating Shawnee Choral Society’s 25th anniversary and Lawrence Civic Choir’s 50th anniversary. The two organizations shared the cost of all conductors for the performance.
Edited by Stuti Khadka and Jeremy Ford.
