Free State Orchestras - Lawrence, Kansas
In addition to parent email updates and updates on this website, you can keep up with the Free State High School Orchestra program by following the FSHS Orchestras Instagram account at: fshs_orchestra
Not only are there updates about the program, activities, and events, but there are also links to helpful articles and web-based resources for parents and students.
LAWRENCE, FREE STATE HIGH SCHOOL ORCHESTRA PROGRAM
Founded in 1997, Free State High School is located in Lawrence, Kansas and is one of two high schools in the Lawrence Public School District. The Free State High School Orchestral program, now in its twenty seventh year, has students that come from three middle schools within the district: West Middle School (Isabelle Luckman, Director of Orchestras), Southwest Middle School (Amanda Peterson, Director of Orchestras), and Liberty Memorial Central Middle School (Mariana Heatwole, Director of Orchestras). In addition to the incredible work done by the Middle School Orchestra teachers, consistent leadership from the Free State High School Orchestra Directors has provided stability for the program to continue to grow throughout the years. Past directors include: Lynn Basow (Head Director 1997-2012), Andrew Shaw (Assistant Director 2015-2017), Russell Clark (Assistant Director 2017-2022), and Judy Erpelding (Head Director 2012-2023). The current Director of Orchestras is Heather Madgwick, who began teaching at Free State in 2023. The program is strongly supported by school administration: Principal-Amy McAnarney, Assistant Principal/Activities Director-Matt Renk, Associate Principal-Dr. Amanda Faunce, Assistant Principals-Tina Mitchell and Jared Shaw.
In 1997, the Free State High School Orchestra program started with just 50 members. Since the schools opening, it has grown to a program of six different orchestras, and tripled in size: Symphonic Orchestra, Philharmonic Orchestra, Concert Orchestra, Freshman Orchestra, Beginning Orchestra, and Chamber Orchestra. These groups, composed of the school’s most accomplished students, are recognized as outstanding musicians, having received numerous high honors as a top program throughout the state of Kansas, and over the years have performed in several prestigious performance venues. The Free State Orchestra program has performed in Washington DC, the Chicago Field Museum, the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, Universal Studios Hollywood, and Disneyland in California. The LFSHS Orchestra top ensembles have earned I ratings every year they have presented a performance at the KSHSAA State Large Group Festival under the direction of Judy Erpelding, earning 22 in total. The program has performed at the KMEA In-Service Workshop two times under the direction of Lynn Basow in 1999 and 2005. Free State Orchestras have performed and competed in the Worlds of Fun Music in the Parks Festival, and earned multiple 1st place awards and was named the top Overall High School Orchestra in 2022. The Free State performing arts department was named the KSHSAA Performing Arts School of Excellence of the Year in 2019, and in 2022 were named a finalist as the KSHSAA Performing Arts School of Excellence of the Year. The Free State Orchestra students consistently are selected for the Northeast Kansas District Honor Orchestra, and in the past few years have made up nearly half of the Honor Ensemble that performed. Free State Orchestra students have also consistently been selected for the Kansas All-State Orchestra, this year we had 11 string players selected to perform in either the KMEA All-State Full Orchestra or String Orchestra.
The Free State High School Combined Philharmonic/Symphonic Orchestra students are thrilled to participate in their debut performance at the KC Classic Orchestra Festival and consider it the greatest of honors to be selected to perform.
Not only are there updates about the program, activities, and events, but there are also links to helpful articles and web-based resources for parents and students.
LAWRENCE, FREE STATE HIGH SCHOOL ORCHESTRA PROGRAM
Founded in 1997, Free State High School is located in Lawrence, Kansas and is one of two high schools in the Lawrence Public School District. The Free State High School Orchestral program, now in its twenty seventh year, has students that come from three middle schools within the district: West Middle School (Isabelle Luckman, Director of Orchestras), Southwest Middle School (Amanda Peterson, Director of Orchestras), and Liberty Memorial Central Middle School (Mariana Heatwole, Director of Orchestras). In addition to the incredible work done by the Middle School Orchestra teachers, consistent leadership from the Free State High School Orchestra Directors has provided stability for the program to continue to grow throughout the years. Past directors include: Lynn Basow (Head Director 1997-2012), Andrew Shaw (Assistant Director 2015-2017), Russell Clark (Assistant Director 2017-2022), and Judy Erpelding (Head Director 2012-2023). The current Director of Orchestras is Heather Madgwick, who began teaching at Free State in 2023. The program is strongly supported by school administration: Principal-Amy McAnarney, Assistant Principal/Activities Director-Matt Renk, Associate Principal-Dr. Amanda Faunce, Assistant Principals-Tina Mitchell and Jared Shaw.
In 1997, the Free State High School Orchestra program started with just 50 members. Since the schools opening, it has grown to a program of six different orchestras, and tripled in size: Symphonic Orchestra, Philharmonic Orchestra, Concert Orchestra, Freshman Orchestra, Beginning Orchestra, and Chamber Orchestra. These groups, composed of the school’s most accomplished students, are recognized as outstanding musicians, having received numerous high honors as a top program throughout the state of Kansas, and over the years have performed in several prestigious performance venues. The Free State Orchestra program has performed in Washington DC, the Chicago Field Museum, the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, Universal Studios Hollywood, and Disneyland in California. The LFSHS Orchestra top ensembles have earned I ratings every year they have presented a performance at the KSHSAA State Large Group Festival under the direction of Judy Erpelding, earning 22 in total. The program has performed at the KMEA In-Service Workshop two times under the direction of Lynn Basow in 1999 and 2005. Free State Orchestras have performed and competed in the Worlds of Fun Music in the Parks Festival, and earned multiple 1st place awards and was named the top Overall High School Orchestra in 2022. The Free State performing arts department was named the KSHSAA Performing Arts School of Excellence of the Year in 2019, and in 2022 were named a finalist as the KSHSAA Performing Arts School of Excellence of the Year. The Free State Orchestra students consistently are selected for the Northeast Kansas District Honor Orchestra, and in the past few years have made up nearly half of the Honor Ensemble that performed. Free State Orchestra students have also consistently been selected for the Kansas All-State Orchestra, this year we had 11 string players selected to perform in either the KMEA All-State Full Orchestra or String Orchestra.
The Free State High School Combined Philharmonic/Symphonic Orchestra students are thrilled to participate in their debut performance at the KC Classic Orchestra Festival and consider it the greatest of honors to be selected to perform.