Music Makers

Every year more than 50 students at Lake Highlands High School compete to fill 18 — 12 vocal and six instrumental — coveted spots in the school’s pop ensemble group, Espree. With that kind of competition, odds are good that some pretty talented kids are going to be making music together.

          Add to that the preparation involved, which begins in August and kicks into high gear this month with night rehearsals, in putting together the group’s annual show, and this is one high-school production you probably won’t want to miss.

          The theme for this year’s show is “Headed for the Future.”

“In the media we hear such negative stories about what’s bad about kids,” says choir director Michael O’Hern, explaining how the theme was selected. “But our show makes you feel good. It shows what’s good in kids and what we can look forward to as these students become apart of our adult community in the years ahead.”

The music in the production, in its 23^rd year, will be diverse, with jazz and country selections as well as sounds from Hollywood , including an “entertaining medley of movie themes that all ages will enjoy,” says parent Tonya Bredehoeft, who handles publicity for Espree. The group also will perform selections from “O Brother Where Art Thou” and “The Gift to Be Simple.”

“This is unlike any other show throughout the year in that it is totally student led,” Bredehoeft says. “They sign, they dance, and they play the accompaniment. Students and parents build the sets and handle the lights.”

The light system alone should be something to marvel at, as the group and its volunteers rents the same lighting setup used for events at the American Airlines Center .

“We always sweat the small stuff,” Hern says. “The choral talent at Lake Highlands High School consistently ranks top in the state. We strive to keep up the standards of previous years, and I think this type of dedication produces great entertainment.”