There will be a good showing of Lawrence high school students at district choir, band and orchestra concerts this week.

Among the students who tried out from the northeast Kansas district — which includes 52 high schools across 14 counties — 57 Lawrence high school students were selected for the honor, 30 of whom made the cut for district choir.

“Lawrence Public Schools’ fine arts program is second to none,” said Lawrence schools Superintendent Rick Doll. “Congratulations to the high school student musicians earning recognition in district choir, band and orchestra, and the outstanding educators who work with them.”

Students from both Lawrence High and Free State High competed against hundreds of students from the northeast Kansas district. The students practice multiple pieces of music for the auditions at home with assistance from school music instructors, who then select the students who will audition for district-level.

“This is one of those things that while the auditions have a competitive aspect, the competition is with themselves in learning that music,” said Lawrence High choir director Dwayne Dunn. “The kids who make it into district get to do something to collaborate not only with the kids across town, but across the district.”

For district choir, about 250 students total are selected. Each school is allowed to send 20 students to audition, and Lawrence High sent 19, owing to an illness. Of those, 16 of the Lawrence High students were picked for district choir, tying the school with Olathe East for third most students selected. Blue Valley Northwest sent the most students, with 19, and Shawnee Mission West sent the second most, with 17.

“That’s a little higher for us than the last couple years,” Dunn said. “I’m very happy with 16 — you never quite know how it’s going to play out.”

Free State High also sent a good number of students. Of the Free State students who auditioned for district choir, 14 were selected. Hilary Morton, the choir director at Free State, said auditioning solo is a difficult test for students, and instructors work with students leading up to the auditions to help them get over their nerves.

“It’s scary to suddenly be alone when you’ve been singing with 60 of your friends for the rest of the time,” Morton said. “Kids learn to suppress their anxiety and perform to the best of their ability, which is so valuable.”

Morton said when students are selected, they not only get to represent their schools but also are able to learn from other students.

“(They get) to know other students with strong musical backgrounds as well,” she said. “They make friends, learn about how differently people learn in other schools, and about their programs.”

Several band and orchestra students also qualified for district instrumental ensembles and are either performing or slated as alternates for the band, jazz band or orchestra concerts. Ten musicians total from Lawrence High were selected, and 17 from Free State. Overall, about 400 students are selected. Doll said Lawrence public schools’ student musicians have a lot to offer the community.

“I encourage community members to visit our schools and take in a concert,” Doll said. “They always impress and inspire.”

The students selected for district choir, band and orchestra will perform Saturday, and a $1 ticket will get a person admission to all three concerts. District choir will perform at Shawnee Mission Northwest High School, band at Blue Valley High School in Overland Park and orchestra at Olathe South High School. Both the preparation and performance are a memorable experience for students, Dunn said.

“It’s one of those experiences that the kids talk about and rave about for a long, long time,” he said.

More detailed schedules for the Dec. 5 concerts will be posted on the Northeast Kansas Music Educators Association website as they become available. Students should be notified by mid-December whether they have been selected to go on to all-state choir, band and orchestra.