WELS students praise God through song
Almost 350 students from 13 area Lutheran high schools participated in the West Regional Choral Festival Nov. 15-17 hosted by St. Croix Lutheran Academy, West St. Paul, Minn. This was the second of two regional choral gatherings for WELS high school students; the remaining 11 high schools met Nov. 8-10 at Illinois Lutheran High School, Crete, Ill., for the East Regional Choral Festival.
The mission of WELS Choral Fest is to “foster Christian fellowship among WELS high school students as they prepare, rehearse, and perform choral music, so that with one heart and voice they may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 15:6).” Amidst a weekend of rehearsals, students participate in a pops concert on Friday before gathering together again for a sacred concert on Sunday.
Thirty-six students from Luther Preparatory School (LPS), Watertown, Wis., attended Choral Fest this past weekend. “My favorite part of Choral Fest is talking to new people,” says Greta Boettcher, an LPS senior who is a member at Prince of Peace, Taylorsville, Utah. “I also love hearing the progress throughout the weekend, when the songs start coming together. It is amazing to hear 300 high school students singing the praises of Jesus at the top of their lungs.”
Music has long been a priority at WELS Lutheran high schools, including Luther Preparatory School, one of WELS’ two ministerial education high schools. At Luther Prep, every student is enrolled in music education classes for all four years, 85 percent of students participate in one of three mass choirs, and 80 percent of students are enrolled in keyboard instruction. Students are also involved in band, handbells, and other instrumental ensembles. “We take music very seriously because it is so important to Christ’s church,” says Rev. Matthew Crass, LPS president.
The school is looking to enhance its campus and fine arts offerings for its students by building a new music center. Currently students practice, perform, and attend music classes in a 112-year-old building that used to serve as a gymnasium. “The building has gone through many renovations and modifications over the years to accommodate our huge music program,” says Crass. “But sharing space is no longer an option. We have maximized our ability to adapt.”
The new proposed center would include a performing arts theater with sloped seating, designated band and choir spaces, right-sized classrooms, piano studios, and practice rooms.
“Music is part of our heritage,” says Crass. “Because of [LPS’s] purpose—more than half of our students become pastors or teachers—they are going to use that gift [of music] in the public gospel ministry.” And, Crass stresses, using the gift of music is also true of students who serve as laypeople in WELS congregations. “They are going to be using these gifts to proclaim our Savior’s name—to magnify his name, to make his name known among all the nations—whether they are here in Watertown or in Wausaukee or in West Virginia or wherever they might be.”
Boettcher, who plays piano and sings in various choirs at Luther Prep, appreciates the focus Luther Prep puts on music: “Singing and playing piano is a great way to lay it all on Jesus,” she says. “LPS’s music program has made me more confident in my musical abilities and given me many opportunities to praise God. Whether that be in the concerts, or simply singing with my peers in chapel, music is very special at Luther Prep.”
Learn more about the proposed new music center at Luther Preparatory School at lps.wels.net/magnify.
Watch concerts from both choral festivals.
East regional pops concert
East regional sacred concert
West regional concerts
