The choir program’s structure is commonly confusing for someone uninvolved in LHS’s arts programs. Between the curricular choirs, ensembles and jazz groups, LHS has a total of 10 singing choruses. 

The choir program is home to three curricular choirs. Of the three, two are non-auditioned choirs while the other is the auditioned concert choir open to juniors and seniors. 

1. Girls Choral is a non-auditioned choir of solely freshmen girls. It is directed by Kathy Ferguson, the program’s head choir director. The choir focuses heavily on the basics of music theory and music performance. 
2. Cadet Choir is a non-auditioned choir open to freshmen through senior boys and sophomores through senior girls. The choir is directed by Jacob Noordermeer, the assistant choir director of the LHS choir program. For many of the sophomore girls and freshmen boys, Cadet Choir is the first chance to sing in a mixed high school choir with all four voice parts: soprano, alto, tenor and base. In Cadet Choir there is still a focus on the basics, but as the year progresses the focus shifts to include more on getting choir students prepared for a future in more advanced choirs. 

“I think the most rewarding part [of directing Cadet Choir] is getting to see the progress the students make over the year or years that I have them and seeing how they continue improving,” said Noordermeer. 

1. The Concert Choir is the highest-level curricular choir at LHS, as well as the only choir in which students audition to participate. Concert Choir auditions are held in the spring and are open to sophomores and juniors already participating in choir. Concert Choir is made up of juniors and seniors. As a member of the Concert Choir, higher expectations are asked of you. You are required to be a part of an ensemble and are expected to go above and beyond to participate in outside duties, like singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at sporting events. The direction of Concert Choir is done by Ferguson. 

A major part of the choir program aside from the curricular choirs are the smaller, auditioned ensembles that meet every day over one of the lunch periods. There are usually around 20 people per group but can be more or less depending on audition results. Auditions occur in January and determine which group you are a part of the following school year. The two choir directors split the direction of the six choirs, and each takes three to lead. Ensembles are a space to get to sing in smaller groups and often sing in more intimate settings than a regular choir concert. For example, it is common for ensemble groups to travel outside of LHS and sing for others in the Sioux Falls community. Some ensembles even travel to the Capitol in Pierre, SD annually to sing during the holiday season. LHS has six ensembles each with their unique chemistry between members. 

1. Cantare is the freshmen girls’ ensemble group directed by Ferguson. The name Cantare directly translates in English to “to sing.” The word is derived from the Latin language. 

“My favorite part is that I am with a group of girls who all share the same interest in singing and that we can all make connections in a very special way,” said soprano Holland Meyerink. 

1. Canto Fratelli is the only all-boys ensemble at LHS. Boys ranging from freshmen to seniors are eligible to be selected for Canto Fratelli. The ensemble is directed by Noordermeer. The name Canto Fratelli translates from Latin to English meaning ‘I sing with my brothers.’

“I love being in my ensemble because it is an all-male choir,” said tenor Zigmars Nelson. 

1. Bel Canto is also directed by Noordermer and consists of sophomore through senior girls. The ensemble’s name comes from a vocal technique that was commonly used in the 1700s that would emphasize the beauty of sound and the brilliance of performance. 

“There are so many things I could talk about that I love about ensemble, but I would say some of my absolute top favorites are getting to see friends I normally wouldn’t see throughout the day, getting to know other people, having study days and all the fun performances we do,” said soprano Marrie Luther. 

1. Sotto Voce is directed by Furguson and is one of the three all-girls ensembles. Sotto Voce combines sophomore, junior and senior girls. The name Sotto Voce refers to singing softly or in a hushed manner. 

“Singing with my friends at the VA has been my favorite thing we’ve done in Sotto so far this year,” said soprano Charlotte Desmond.

1. Cliff Avenue Singers are one of the two mixed ensembles at LHS meaning the group utilizes both female and male singers. The group is directed by Noordermeer and is made up of mixed sophomores through seniors. The name comes from the location of LHS which is right on Cliff Avenue. 

“[My favorite part of Cliff Avenue Singers] is getting to sing in a smaller group,” said soprano Chalease Kenyon.

1. Chamber Choir is the top ensemble at LHS. As a member of Chamber Choir, it is required to be a member of Concert Choir. This mixed ensemble is made up of sopranos, altos, tenors and bases. The group is directed by Ferguson and is only open to juniors and seniors. 

“My favorite part of being in an ensemble is the people. Of course, singing is great, but the best part is working towards something surrounded by people as committed and involved as you are,” said tenor Grant Wiessner. 

Aside from the curricular choirs and ensembles the LHS choir department also has an extracurricular vocal jazz group that auditions each fall. The varsity jazz group, Red, White and Blues, practices outside of the school day and throughout the year competes locally and has various performances. Auditions are open to freshmen through seniors and provide a different style of singing to students who audition. 

“[My favorite part of jazz is] being able to work with other students from all grades and going to competitions and competing against other schools and listening to what they’re doing to help better improve our work,” said tenor Jackson Klawonn.

“For students just starting choir for the first time one of the most important things is to encourage them to keep going and don’t be afraid to make mistakes,” said Noordermeer.