Last week’s Music as Medicine program, featuring the Omaha North High Schol orchestra and show choir, brought holiday cheer to more than 100 campus attendees.
The 14 string musicians, under Director Ann Frame, played half a dozen songs; with the final number actually a 13-song medley and the audience members were challenged to name the various songs. This orchestra has been North High’s primary community outreach musical group for 10 years. Frame has been director for six of those years.
“These kids are really motivated and have represented North seven times this holiday season, including performances at Children’s Hospital, the American Association of University Women, Durham Western Heritage Museum, and numerous holiday party clubs,” Frame said. “Whenever there are budget cuts on the line in high school education, we feel the pressure. That’s why it is so important that the community understand how much music education adds to students’ general socialization and higher learning capabilities.”
Admittance to North’s Show Choir is just as demanding. In fact, North has four choirs – men’s choir, show choir, treble choir and concert choir – but positions in the show choir are the most sought after, said Choir Director Joe Manley.
The show choir performs throughout the year, including at least 12 holiday performances. They have performed the national anthem at various athletic events, as well as at the College World Series each of the past seven years. The Show Choir has competed for national honors in Orlando, Fla., New York City, N.Y. and in Chicago, Ill. The choir recently earned runner-up at the National Show Choir Competition in Branson, Mo.