They are small, but they are mighty.
They are the three members of the Central Plains High School band and the four members of the school’s choir. This isn’t a select ensemble, this is everybody.
“We may be small, but quality is important, and our small size gives us opportunity to give back to the community,” said CPHS music instructor Diana Webster. The groups were on the road Thursday for a Valentine’s Day tour, visiting retirement facilities in Ellsworth and Barton counties.
The stops included Plum Creek Plaza in Holyrood, Country Place Living in Hoisington, and River Bend, Sterling House and Cherry Village, all in Great Bend. They presented a 25-minute programs at each, with selections ranging from classical to American standards to show tunes to folk songs.
 This was their second tour, the first being at the beginning of December. They may do one more before school is out this year.
“We weren’t going to sit there and feel sorry for ourselves,” Webster said. Instead, they sought out ways to find venues to perform.
“We wanted a chance to get out in the community,” the teacher said. “I’m really proud of them. They really stepped up.”
As with any live concerts, not everything went as planned Thursday. The hectic tour tested the musicians’ metal.
“Some things didn’t go so well and some went better than expected,” Webster said.
Regardless of what flaws there may have been, the audience didn’t seem to mind. The residents at Cherry Village sang along and offered generous applause.
The band includes Julie Donecker on alto sax, James Radenberg on trumpet and Aaron Schneweis on trombone. Choir members are alto Kaylyn Oberle, second soprano BriA’na Lewis, second soprano Kassidy Pflughtoeft and soprano Alyvia Bell.