Four Kansas music students were selected to perform in the 2011 NAfME All-National Honor Ensembles in Washington, DC. The students participated in these ensembles as part of the NAfME Music Education Week in June. After a week of rehearsals, the ensembles performed in the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on June 26, 2011.

The students had an amazing week rehearsing, performing, and making new friends from across the country. They and their teachers provided the following reflections about their experiences, and hope other music educators and students in Kansas will take advantage of this wonderful opportunity next year.

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Lauren Dunkak
Olathe South Senior HS Mixed Choir
My experience of going to Washington DC was life changing!!! The conductor for our choir, Elena Sharkova, was unbelievable. She was very passionate about conducting and about life, and was funny as heck! She also paid attention to details in our songs, which is what makes a choir sound not just good, but great. I would strongly encourage other high school students to try out because you will make so many new friends, perform with amazing musicians, and get to go sightseeing in DC!

Lauren's teacher, Cindy Sheppard shared the following about her student:
Lauren is a 2011 graduate of Olathe South High School and was extremely active in the Performing Arts Department at OS. She took solos to both Regional and State Solo & Ensemble, was selected as a NE-KMEA District Choir Member, and as an alternate to the KMEA State Choir. When I announced the opportunity to audition for the All-National Honor Mixed Choir, she was the first to ask for more information.

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Ashton Lee
Pratt-Skyline HS Mixed Choir
I loved meeting people from all over the country with different personalities, and the way that we could make such beautiful music together. Being on the stage at the Kennedy Center was so humbling, and sharing a backstage with Broadway stars performing in "Wicked" was also a huge highlight of the week. Our director was very knowledgeable and not only taught us the music, but the history of the music, and how to look beyond the words and make them mean something. My week in DC was something that changed my life entirely.

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Madison Moore
Pratt-Skyline HS Mixed Choir
It was a great honor to be chosen for the All-National Honor Mixed Choir. This was an amazing and life changing experience for me. Singing in the Kennedy Center was very inspiring. Also, it was neat to meet people from all over the United States. Touring our nation's capital was very enjoyable. I was happy we were able to see so much. I am so glad I was given the opportunity to grow musically.

Beth Novotny, Ashton and Madison's teacher, offered her reflections from the perspective of a teacher and chaperone for the All-National Honor Ensembles:
My first impression of the students in the All-National Honor Mixed Choir was friendly, talkative, original - in other words, regular teenagers. My second impression of the students was at the first rehearsal, their first opportunity to hear themselves as a choir. I was WOWED! Although all were not at the same level of preparation, I could hear the quality of sound and anticipate the high level of accomplishment by concert time. A meaningful moment happened while descending the stairs at the Lincoln Memorial. A group of the students spontaneously stopped and sang the "National Anthem," to the cheers and tears of passers by. I will never forget the feeling of patriot pride and seeing their earnest faces making wonderful music!

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Adam Galigher
Blue Valley NW HS Orchestra
After getting the news I was accepted to perform in the All-National Honor Orchestra, I was excited to see what we would play. The first rehearsal was hectic because everyone was getting his or her chair assignments. When they started to list the chair assignments for the bass section, I was surprised when I heard my name first. I was selected to be the principle bassist for the All-National Honor Orchestra, which was even more surprising than when I initially heard I was accepted. It was an amazing experience to play in the Kennedy Center-everything sounded great in the giant hall. Overall, the experience is one that I will not forget and I hope to be given more opportunities to play with some of the top young performers in the country.

Kathleen McCullough, Adam's teacher, added the following regarding his selection and participation in the orchestra:
I was thrilled when Adam told me he was going to audition. I was happy (but not surprised) when he was accepted into the orchestra. I was totally blown away when I heard that he had been chosen principal bass. I am grateful to NAfME and KMEA for supporting the orchestra. I encourage all orchestra, band, and choir teachers from across Kansas to make the information available to their students via email linking them to the NAfME site.

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Beginning June 27, 2011, through September 15, 2011, NAfME/KMEA members are encouraged to nominate students for these ensembles. All nominated students will receive an invitation to audition. On-line applications and auditions will be open to students on October 7, 2011. Auditions close on January 15, 2012. Selected students and their teachers will be notified by February 29, 2012. To nominate a student go to: www.nafme.org.

KMEA is committed to encouraging music students in Kansas to audition for the All-National Honor Ensembles. Students who are chosen and participate in the ensembles will receive assistance from KMEA to help with their expenses.