Go Big Red: DCHS Weekly Message

Week 33: Sing Me a Song with the Piano, Man

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Decatur County Community High School

605 E Commercial St, Oberlin, KS 67749

April 16, 2023 (Schedule at the bottom, Skip What You Want)

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Decatur community,

I was just a little guy when I first heard the song Piano Man by Billy Joel back in the seventies. It was one of my favorite tunes to listen to, and I was always so charmed by the variety of instruments that he played that weren't as common as most of the other rock and roll instruments of the time. The piano, a harmonica, and a ballad of lyrics that somehow still to this day bring back memories of childhood every time I see a piano.

This past week was perhaps my favorite experience with music in a school setting in my entire life, a fun Pre-Recital Thursday evening followed by an amazing music festival that I will anxiously look forward to every April for the rest of my time in Oberlin.

Although I was not able to see every performance, I saw as many of our students perform as I possibly could, and as has been the same for me since the long ago first time that I heard Billy Joel's musical song, I would look at the piano, look at the singer, and in my mind I would hear, "Sing me a song Mr. Piano Man," as each performer would get up to perform. It really doesn't matter if they were singing a song or playing an instrument.

Awesome experience!

This week's message will just be filled with shoutouts.

SHOUTOUTS

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Shoutout to Mr. Brad Persinger, Mrs. Lisa Johnson, and Mrs. Jenny Tally, our music teachers. This week was not an easy one for them. The amount of preparation that went into this week's performances was massive. There were over 300 students in our school this past weekend, 16 schools represented, judges, coaches, accompanists, and volunteers that were scattered throughout the building, all requiring attention to detail on the times and locations that each were needed. The whole process was remarkable and very well organized.

Shoutout Jenny Tally again and Elisabeth Counter. Both were the accompanists for our students this past weekend, and each was there every step of the way with our students getting them ready for their performances. You could see how much time and effort went into each performance, and the accompanists had to know the ebb and flow of each.

Shoutout to all of the volunteers that worked in the building during the festival. There were results to be ran, recorded, and posted. There were doors to be monitored. The Lions Club ran the concession stand all day. It would be too difficult to list every volunteer, but each did so with a smile on their face.

Shoutout to each and every student that got up and performed a solo, whether singing or playing an instrument. It takes a lot of courage to get up and perform in front of others knowing that you are being judged and scrutinized. As common as it may be at a music festival, the large majority of people would not get up and perform in front of others.

Shoutout to DCHS singers and the Women's Ensemble for qualifying for State.

Shoutout to Bryant Addleman, Ellie Anderson, Weston Barnes, Emma Holloway, Josh Juenemann, Addison Mathews, Michaela Wasson, and Olivia Williby. Each qualified for State with their solo vocal performances.

Shoutout to Theo Butterfield (French Horn), Cheyanna Hale (clarinet), Jack Holloway (baritone sax), Josh Starnes (bass clarinet), and Michaela Wasson (flute). Each qualified for state with their instrumental solo performances.

Shoutout to every parent, family member, and community member that came to see the students perform. I know that it meant a lot to each student. I will take several memories from this past weekend of simply seeing the smile on students' faces when they saw family members sitting in the audience. I know there were some that drove for many hours and that at least 4 states were represented.

Shoutout to senior Josh Jueneman. Josh was chosen by his fellow seniors to be the Prom Marshal for this week's upcoming dance. The Prom Marshal leads the Promenade down Main Street. Jueneman has been an amazing students all year, also chosen back in the fall as the General for Halloween Cleanup. It is obvious how important Josh is to his fellow classmates.

Shoutout to our 2023 Student Council:

President: Michaela Wasson

Vice President: Kamryn Oien

Secretary: Weston Barnes

Treasurer: Katrina Neal

Things You Should Know

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April is State Assessment month. This week 7th, 8th, 10th grade students at DCHS will be taking the Kansas Math Assessment. These tests are very important, because it is an opportunity to really see how well our students have gained the knowledge that the state has deemed necessary. The assessment gives us information that we can use to improve teaching strategies and lets us know how we compare to other schools across the state.

The Math Assessment is scheduled this week for Tuesday and Wednesday.