The Highlander
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THE HIGHLANDER • February 29, 2024
March 22. 2024 - Vol. 2. Issue 2
HOLIDAY CORNER
CAMPUS NEWS
Celebrate Women’s history month Pg.7
RELIGION
Read about banquet Pg.2
Created for connection Pg.3
MUSIC FEST IS A SUCCESS! Naomi Houston and Magdalen Carlson
Music Festival 2024 of the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference was a success as students from all over the conference and Ohio arrived on the Highland Academy Campus on Thursday, February 29. “Put a Little Love in Your Heart” was the theme this year. Students were separated into groups for band, choir, middle school choir, orchestra, and bell choir to practice together before the Friday and Saturday night performances, during which they practiced for up to six hours. Five expert clinicians came to direct the different musical groups, all of whom have distinguished careers in music. The amazing clinicians were: William Chunestudy, Joshua Gaines, Craig Mohr, Kelly Wiedemann and Shelly Miller. Music Festival Chairman Elaine Will said the committee went a long way to get the best of the best for the festival. They came from all over, including California, Kentucky, Virginia and Greenbrier, Tennessee. Will went on to say that, “The focus of our dedicated team of clinicians at this festival is to strengthen and validate our young people through inspiring leadership and positive role modeling. The students’ musical, spiritual, and social well-being and development are of the highest values to all the clinicians and staff. We are all deeply invested in their futures as successful musicians, students and spiritual
leaders in our schools, churches and communities.” Between rehearsals, every musical group could hang out and meet others. Thursday evening, many chaperones drove their school to Strike and Spare Family Fun Center in Hendersonville. While the schools were there, the students were given the opportunity to rollerskate, win tickets by playing arcade games, and ride in bumper cars. The staff provided pizza for hundreds of students while others bought their own food. Being able to participate in the Strike and Spare activity brings so many people together, creating friendships, comradery and an even bigger love for Music Fest. Highland Academy has a 30-year history of hosting the festival. Although there have
been many festivals and many outstanding performances over the years, the work these students and staff put into the program created a magnificent performance yet again. The conference and academy staff work together to create the event and prepare the student. Planning for the festival begins only a short time after the final performance the previous year, usually around June and July. Will works with each clinician to select the music to be performed. Individual schools practice during their school year and come prepared to mix with the students from other schools. That is the only way for them to learn such intricate music so quickly before a performance. Music Fest held two performances: Friday
evening showcased a sacred concert and Saturday evening was a secular concert performance. The Raphan Ley Auditorium held approximately 750 people each evening, including the participants, school chaperones, and audience. Performances began with a small talk or devotional. Then each night the various musical groups would perform two or three songs each. The finale for both evenings was the wellknown anthem, “From Sea to Shining Sea.” All ensembles participated with each one being led by their own clinician and an overall clinician directing each of them. It was a powerful performance culminating in a standing ovation from the audience Pictures by: Sabrina Mann and Naomi Houston