Performing at Disney World; goodbye to Mr. Schall

Any student in Lawrence schools’ music department would say that their biggest dream is to play with their respective ensemble on the big stage at the professional level.

Thankfully, the school district has been able to help make this dream come true for hundreds of students over the years. Without the extensive fundraising led by the music department’s faculty, the extremely subsidized price for Lawrence’s students would not be possible.

Every other year, Lawrence High School’s music department is invited to perform at Walt Disney World in Orlando. All four sections of the music department — orchestra, marching band, chorus and dance — are showcased in various areas of the park. This year it was March 16-19. The orchestra performed in Downtown Disney while the marching band carried their procession down Main Street in the Magic Kingdom in front of thousands of people.

The weeks prior to the big performance are hectic, but productive, in the music rooms and dance studio. Students practice their pieces and dances over and over until they are flawless. Everyone wants to put on a show that will not only be exceptional, but will be remembered as a representation of the Lawrence School District.

For the orchestra and band, the days before the trip are spent fine-tuning both the instruments and individual notes in the pieces. As for the chorus, notes are perfected to the highest degree. Lastly, the dance department is going over move after move to ensure the mirror-like perfection of the dancers’ movements. All this rehearsing leads to the biggest show any of these students have ever performed.

This year was especially distinctive because it is Superintendent Gary Schall’s last year before he retires at the end of the school year. Many can remember when Schall was the head of the music department before becoming the district’s educational leader. It was only fitting to dedicate the entire trip and every performance to the man who has cared so much about every student in not only the music department, but also the entire district.

Schall stepped up and conducted every piece for the orchestra as orchestral conductor Terrance Batts was felled by a back injury. Though there was limited rehearsal time before the performance with Schall as conductor, the concert turned out to be just as spectacular as expected. It is extremely sad to see such a beloved member of the Lawrence family move on to other prospects, but the students, faculty, and alumni of the district will never forget the passion and love and dedication that Schall put into everything he did for the Lawrence school district.