Manhattan High’s Chamber Orchestra recently participated in a collaborative concert event alongside the Kansas State University Symphony Orchestra and Lawrence Free State High School. This performance gave MHS students a great opportunity to engage with musicians at both the collegiate and high school level.
The concert was held at McCain Auditorium on the K-State campus. This scale of performance provided an advanced experience in orchestral literature.
“This concert was an absolutely amazing experience, full of energy and incredible sound. Honestly, practicing for it was hard–the long rehearsals, mastering those challenging passages–it really tested our limits,” senior Jiyeon Kim said. “But all that intense work paid off the moment the music swelled and the audience responded. It was genuinely so much fun to share that stage with such talented musicians. The effort was immense, but the joy and the sound we created together made every difficult hour worth it.”
The MHS Chamber Orchestra segment of the high school program was specifically selected to perform with the K-State Symphony Orchestra as guest musicians. The combined performance was part of the K-State Symphony Orchestra’s season-opening concert, titled “Common Threads.”
The evening’s repertoire included major classical works that showcased the technical abilities of all three participating organizations. The K-State Symphony Orchestra portion of the program featured Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8 and Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Another featured piece was the Academic Overture by Johannes Brahms. The collaboration with the MHS Chamber Orchestra was featured during a designated portion of the K-State program.
The joint concert structure allowed high school students to perform complex orchestral scores typically reserved for college-level ensembles. The participation of Lawrence Free State High School broadened the collaborative scope, fostering musical exchange between different high school orchestra programs in the state.
The event was an educational initiative, extending beyond a standard performance. MHS students gained exposure to the standards and methods of a university music program. This collaboration with the university and high school provided a valuable local connection for the high school musicians.
The collaboration aimed to strengthen the artistic connections among the school district, the university, and other high school music programs in the surrounding area. The joint performance highlighted the commitment of all three programs to practice and performance.
“Playing in the orchestra is simply amazing. Beyond the incredible music we make, the community is what makes it truly special. It’s a supportive family where everyone pushes each other to be better,” Kim said. “The opportunities it provides are great, It teaches discipline, teamwork, it’s a doorway to experiences and friendships that last a lifetime.“
