In December, Varsity Choir and ReMarkables joined forces with the Joyful Noise Choir of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Highland, to present a traditional service of Nine Lessons and Carols.  Featuring nine bible readings that retell the fall of man and the birth of Christ, each reading was preceded by a choir selection and concluded with carol singing.  The service was presented to over 100 guests who joined in the carol singing along with Mr. Markley at the organ and piano.

Photo Credit:  Lisa Rodriguez

Photo credit to Sherry Gorsich!

Thanks to Chooch's family, Cameron is the winner of the $100 for 100 Years of Disney Gift Card.  One of his family's playbills was drawn at random and they successfully found all of the hidden Mickey's making Cam the winner!  Better still, he can use it in the parks on the Band and Choirs trip this fall! 

Thank you to everyone who supported the Highland Music Department Mattress Fundraiser.  We were able to raise $6950 for our three department booster organizations!

Congratulations to all the members of the choir program who participated in State Contest this year.  Of the 28 events between the HS and MS, 26 received gold medals with 7 Gold with Distinction (10.5 or better score) and 3 with perfect scores.  See the results at right!  S=Silver; G=Gold; GwD = Gold with Distinction; GwD+ = Gold with Distinction with a Perfect Score.

It was another great day for Highland School's choral program at ISSMA Solo/Ensemble Contest.  HMS walked away with five Silver medals and 16 gold medals with two perfect scores for Taylor Thompson solo and the Addy Figueroa ensemble.  HHS performed equally well with 14 Silver Medals and 29 gold medals with four perfect scores for Grace Gorsich, Kayla DuPuy, Tommy Bloomer and Eamon Colglazier.  HMS sends three soloists to state in three weeks and HHS send 21 solos and 5 ensembles to State Contest.  Congrats to everyone! 

Madrigal Feaste is Magical Success

Congratulations to the cast and crew of this year's Madrigal Feaste.  Over 250 guests were served a delicious meal of beef roulade, roasted chicken leg and festive sides while being entertained by the cast of the Madrigal Play, Bob Bados a Pirates Tale and the Varsity or Madrigal Choir.  The Processional was followed by wassail toasts and the traditional procession of the Boar's Head.  The audience enjoyed every moment and Sir Dibley was saved from a sugar crash once again.  Varsity Choir sang dulcet tones and the ReMarkables finished the night with a beautiful and warm rendition of the classic Silent Night.

Congratulations to the cast of Bob Bados, A Pirates Tale, this year's Madrigal Play!

Congratulations to the Vocal and Theatre programs and all of the awards presented to talented students.  Included in the celebration were the soon to be HHS 2023 Graduates.  A meal catered by Jimboos of Lansing was served before the festivities started.  Almost $10,000 in scholarships were presented to deserving seniors.  Outstanding Singer recognitions were presented to choir students and performance awards were presented to deserving volunteer theatre students.  The Fred Waring Award was presented to senior Elise Hibbard and the National School Choral Award was presented to seniors Wilfred Akanbi and Alex Schmidt.  Mr. Markley, urged students to use their skills learned in choir and theatre, listen to their present circumstances to plan for their futures.  He also reminded them that their past experiences with their teachers in these programs would stick with them for life.  Congratulations to all recipients and the 2023 Graduating Class of Theatre and Vocal Students!

Members of the cast of Beauty and the Beast were joined by Princesses from Region Royalty to present Belle's Enchanted Princess Tea on Saturday, May 6th as part of the weekend of Disney at HHS.  Over 130 guests attend the event with over 50 young children who were able to meet Moana, Snow White, Elsa, Rapunzel, Ariel and Belle and friends.  Special crafts were created and special snacks were enjoyed by all.  Thank you to all those who donated craft items and snacks as well as their time to set up, strike and perform!  A raffle was also held in conjunction with the tea and performance - Congratulations to Marilys Santana of Valpo who was the recipient of a number of raffle items including four free tickets to future HTC shows as well as a beautiful child-size Belle ballgown.

Congratulations to all the beautifully dressed students of Highland High School who held their annual Prom on Saturday, April 30th with the pre-prom event, Grand March.  Spectators coming to see the students in their finest attire, donated a nominal amount at the door to help raise funds for student scholarship.  The Boosters report that over $1200 was raised.  The funds will be applied to next school year's scholarship funding.  Thank you one and all!

Thank you to all of those that helped with our annual Highland Music Department Mattress Sale.  The three departments earned $11,385.  Thank you to all those students and parents who help spread the word by sharing the Mattress Survey and sharing the sale info on their social media platforms.  We can't do an event like this without your help! HPABi earn @$3800 from the sale with the remainder divided between the Band, Orchestra and prizes for students!  

On Saturday, February 18th, over 30 members of the Highland MS and HS Choir traveled to Indianpolis' Perry Meridian High School to State Solo/Ensemble Contest.  All those involved had an amazing day.  Of the 25 events - ALL 25 received Gold Medals with 14 of the 25 receiving Gold Medals with Distinction.  And seven of those events received PERFECT SCORES including HMS  Soloists Aden Nelson & Martiza Aguilar.  Highland HS soloists receiving Perfect Scores include:  Grace Gorsich, Elise Hibbard, Krista Jacob and Olivia Thomas and the Karulski Barbershop impressed with their rendition of Sentimental Gentlemen which also received a perfect score. Receiving a Gold Medal with Distinction was the Hibbard Ensemble singing Gospel Train (picture at left). 

Congratulations to all the choir members who participated in ISSMA Vocal S/E Contest at Munster High School on Saturday, Feb. 4th!  In all, Highland Choirs were rewarded for their efforts with 16 Silver Medals and 43 Golds.  The MS had 4 Silver and 16 Gold medals with two perfect scores for the Enstrom Ensemble and Aden Nelson.  The HS had 12 Silver and 27 Gold medals.  Traveling to State Contest on Feb. 18th from the MS will be Aden Nelson, Martiza Aguilar and Kennedy Stephens.  From the HS will be the Havlin Ensemble, Hibbard Ensemble, Jacobs Ensemble, Karulski Ensemble (video on the right), and the Markus Ensemble.  Soloists from the HS include: Wildred Akanbi, Eamon Colglazier, Kayla DuPuy, Grace Gorsich, Kayla Guajardo, Elise Hibbard, Krista Jacob, Madison Karulski, Reis Maldonado, McKenzie Markus, Bea McGee, Annalyse Miranda, Madison Pischner, Alex Schmidt, Cameran Stewart, Olivia Thomas, and Brynne Widiger.  Congratulations to everyone!

Come join us on Saturday, March 11th from 10AM until 5PM in the HS Fieldhouse for our annual Mattress Fundraiser to support the Performing Arts Department.  Mattress, box springs, pillows, sheets, and adjustable bases are all on sale and the purchase of any will earn rewards for the choral department.

Please welcome Mr. Joel Stoppenhagen!  He will be student teaching with Mr. Markley and taking over teaching responsibilities following ISSMA Solo and Ensemble Contest of the MS and HS Choirs.  He will be leading the March MS and HS Choir concerts and well as participating in some of the Spring Events.  An Indiana native, Joel will be finishing his Bachelor of Music Education degree at Valparaiso University this fall.