All-City Honor Concerts showcase Wichita’s finest student musicians

The Wichita Public Schools present the annual All-City Honor Concerts at Century II Concert Hall. These concerts showcase the talents of hundreds of Wichita Public Schools students ranging from grades 5-12 and represent music programs in all of the elementary, middle, and high schools. The concerts, sponsored by Friends University, are free and open to the public.

All-City Honor Bands Concert – Monday, January 30, 7 p.m.  Four bands will perform this year, including the 11^th and 12^th grade high school honor band under the direction of Dr. Keith Dodson, Director of Bands at Bethany College. The 9^th and 10^th grade high school honor band under the direction of Joel Naegele, band director at Southeast High School. Jennifer Kirk, band director at Christa McAuliffe Academy, will conduct the 8^th grade honor band. Erik Stone, Gordon Parks Academy band director will conduct the 7^th grade honor band.

All-City Honor Orchestras Concert – Tuesday, January 31, 7 p.m.  Wesley DeSpain, Director of the Delano Chamber Orchestra, will direct the high school honor orchestra. The 8^th grade honor orchestra will be conducted by Amanda Gimson, Orchestra Director at Southeast High School. Panya Amphone, Mayberry Cultural and Fine Arts Magnet Middle School Orchestra Director, will conduct the 7^th grade honor orchestra.   

All-City Honor Choirs Concert – Tuesday, February 21

6 p.m. – 5^th Grade Honors Ensembles at Century II Convention Hall

Performances by the 5th Grade Honor Ensembles:  All-City Honor Choir under the direction of Nina Kindt-Wilson, music teacher at OK Elementary School; the All-City Orff Honor Ensemble directed by Jennifer Wassemiller, music teacher at Spaght Science and Communications Magnet, and the World Music Drumming Honor Ensemble under the direction of Misti Rohde, music teacher at Gardiner Elementary School. 

7:30 p.m. Middle and High School Honor Choirs at Century II Concert Hall

The All-City Middle School Honor Choir is directed by Rebecca Sessions, Choir Director at South High School. The High School Honor Choir is is under the direction of Dr. Henry Waters, Director of Choral Activities & Voice at Bethel College. 

These concerts offer students the opportunity to perform with other district student musicians under the direction of distinguished guest conductors and some of our most outstanding local teachers. This is truly a musical highlight and honor that many of our students will long remember. Please join us for these concerts as we celebrate the heritage and tradition, which is Wichita Public Schools Music Education.

For more information, contact Shawn Chastain, Executive Coordinator of Fine Arts, 973-4440.