Two KWU music groups selected to perform

The Kansas Wesleyan University String Orchestra. *Photos courtesy KWU*

For the Kansas Wesleyan University Music Department, one is fun but two is terrific.

And by terrific, KWU Music Department Chair Ken Hakoda means a coming of musical age for his students and faculty in terms of recognition of their talents.

Two ensembles from the school – the Kansas Wesleyan University String Orchestra under the direction of Jesse Henkenseifken, and the Philharmonic Choir under the direction of Hakoda – were both selected through blind auditions to perform at the upcoming Kansas Music Educators Association Convention in Wichita.

“To have one of our musical ensembles selected is quite an honor,” Hakoda said. “But to have two selected is just amazing.”

The KMEA has an in-service instructional convention each February, filled with master classes and instructional workshops. Sprinkled throughout are performances by high school and college groups, which is designed to be a part of the instructional process.

This year, the String Orchestra will perform on Feb. 21, at 2:45 p.m., and the Philharmonic Choir will perform on Feb. 22, at 10 a.m. All meetings and performances are at Century II in Wichita.

“Aside from the honor of being chosen, this is a wonderful opportunity to show potential students who we are,” Hakoda said. “When high school music students see the quality of our performances, it not only shows the level of talent and expertise coming from Kansas Wesleyan, but could potentially recruit some of those students to our campus.”

Hakoda said his faculty makes the difference in the level of quality education.

“An honor like this is not just the work of the ensemble directors,” he said. “It is the teamwork of the department. We have the best faculty teaching our students to sing and play instruments. Without that faculty, this was not possible.”

Meanwhile, as a warmup to the Wichita event, on Sunday the choir group will perform at First Covenant Church, 2625 E Magnolia Road in Salina, with guest choir Junction City High School Chamber singers, who also are selected to perform at KMEA. That concert is at 4 p.m.