There are so many wonderful musical offerings for students in our schools in Porter County. Whether it’s bands, orchestras or choirs and choral groups, these programs produce countless delights for all of us to enjoy.
For the past 29 years, Valparaiso High School has been gifted with choral director Linda Schonbachler. Under her tutelage, choirs have achieved everything from winning awards — 3 state championships, and 28 years of being in the top echelon — to attending elite choral events. Recently, the choir was invited to participate in the Windy City Choral Festival, held at Chicago’s historic Orchestra Hall, which still has Linda walking on a cloud. The guest conductor for the weekend performances was world renowned choral director Randall Stroope. Nine choirs were chosen to perform March 16-18, including three high school choirs, one of which was VHS. The other high school choirs were from Oklahoma and Minnesota, and the remaining six were university and semi-pro groups. What an experience for the students, and what a superb way for Linda to end her high school career.
Yes, at the end of this school year, there will be an empty space in the music hall at Valparaiso High School, because she is retiring. But there is one more opportunity to see her before she shuts the door. So if you are one of the many who enjoy variety in listening, please mark your calendar for 7 p.m. May 17. Linda’s farewell concert will feature all her choirs — men’s chorus, women’s chorus, and the mixed and concert choirs — and a vast array of idioms, even pieces in Swahili, will rock the halls of the First United Methodist Church, at 103 Franklin St. in downtown Valpo. The “Serenade of Spring” will have you singing all the way home — and even in your dreams — and the finale includes the combined choirs and audience in the beautiful “Let There Be Peace On Earth,” which will no doubt have me covered in goose bumps. Where else can you be entertained by professional-level voices for only $10 ($5 for students and seniors)? Tickets may be purchased at the door. Start practicing your part!
For more information, please call Linda Schonbachler at 219-531-3170, ext. 5203. Linda, no words can thank you enough for your gift to hundreds of students, and the thousands they’ve shared it with. God bless you as you find new ways to give. You are my pet person of the week.
It sure would be kind of Mother Nature to flip our weather pattern to warm again. May weekends are usually filled with gals in gorgeous gowns and dresses, and guys decked out in tuxes and suits for prom night. It is such a special night, and warm spring breezes would top clouds and rain. Special needs teachers and staff plan a lovely evening for their students too: Aberdeen Manor (thanks Denna) will be filled with elegant decorations, lovely lasses and handsome lads this Sunday evening at their Spring Formal, with dinner and dancing, thanks to the work and planning of Porter County Special Olympics athletes’ parents. With pictures, souvenirs and excellent food included, it is sure to be a memorable evening. Sometimes it would be fun to be young again, just for an evening, to feel that first thrill of prom night.
Come to think of it, I guess it’s OK to just feel that way no matter what my age as long as there are young people around looking extraspecial, and making memories. I’ve decided the best thing to do is never grow up — or old — and never look in the mirror.
Now, I hope you have a great day because you deserve it. Thanks for reading. Fly your flag.
Lorrie Woycik is a freelance columnist for the Post-Tribune.