Gaunt’s Music Studio focused this school term on preparing singers using “Ready to Read Music” by Jay Althouse. It is a series of sequential lessons in music reading readiness for soloists as well as choir members, or future choir members. In addition to these lessons students also learned better breath management skills, projection of tone, vowel shape, diction, connection to the text, and song presentation appropriate to their individual assigned literature. Students completing Unit 1 this Spring Semester included McKenzie Perez, of Larned and Haley Troyer of Ellinwood. Students completing Unit 2 included: Kiley Troyer, of Ellinwood; Caden Rowan, of Ellinwood; Clarise Snapp, of Great Bend; and Macy Munson, of Ellinwood. Students completing Unit 3 included; Clarise Snapp, of Great Bend; Kiley Troyer, of Ellinwood; and Caden Rowen, of Ellinwood.
Younger elementary students at Gaunt’s Music Studio used the “Ready-to-Use Music Reading Activities Kit” compiled by Loretta Mitchell to learn note reading and rhythm readiness. Kimberly Peterson, 2nd grader at CKCA, completed PACK 1 of the series. Gaunt’s Music Studio has traditionally prepared vocal students for KSHSAA League, Regional, and State Solo Contest, and this year was no exception. Students from Ellinwood, St. John, and Central Plains that competed in League Festival were Andrew Maier, Macy Munson, Caden Rowan, Dayton Long, and Haley Troyer. Those same students competed in the KSHSAA Regional Solo Festival: Macy Munson - II; Caden Rowan - I; Haley Troyer - I; Andrew Maier - I; and Dayton Long - I. The “I” rating qualifies students for State Competition where Haley Troyer, Andrew Maier, and Caden Rowan received “I” ratings.
Great Bend students of Gaunt’s Music Studio that participated in the KSHSAA Regional Solo Festival were: Audrey Muth - I; Katherine Snapp - I; Hayden Honomichl- I. All three of these students also qualified to compete at the KSHSAA State Solo Festival, and again, all received “I” ratings. Additionally, Kiley Troyer, of Ellinwood competed in the Middle School Music Festival of Lacrosse and received a “I” rating on her solo.
Caden Rowan, freshman at Ellinwood High school, auditioned for the Kansas State University 41st Summer Choral Institute and was accepted into the summer music program. The Kansas State University Summer Choral Institute is one of the nation’s most unique summer programs for High School Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors. Forty of the nation’s top high school choral music students are selected each year to attend the KSU Summer Choral Institute. Students participate in an intensive week of rehearsals, masterclasses, private coachings, musical performances, lectures, piano classes, as well as team-building and character building exercises. The leadership staff of SCI are among the top performers and educators in their respective fields. Students from the Summer Choral Institute continually find that this Institute makes a significant and lasting impact on their lives as musicians and as people.
Glenna Gaunt, as owner and sole voice instructor of the studio, will run a six week session this summer for new and current voice students. The studio teaches children elementary through adult in basic vocal techniques using appropriate vocal literature to each students’ abilities, as well as note reading and sight reading.
