KM choir students stand out

Like everything else, the pandemic has had an effect on choir at Kasson-Mantorville High School, but three senior singers continue to shine through it all.
Olivia Smith, Rachel Tuma and Gabe Bungum, each 18 years old, have sung the national anthem at football, hockey and basketball games. They are known for wowing the crowd with their stand-out performances.
The three students sing in the Kasson-Mantorville Concert Choir and all started singing as seventh graders. They have become fast friends, citing choir as the place where their relationships with each other and music have blossomed.
“Olivia, Rachel and Gabe stand out as superior choir members because of their dedication to their craft and the willingness to work together in a group,” said Andrew Faller, vocal music teacher at Kasson-Mantorville High School.
“They have worked hard to grow the skills to be successful in my subject area and have the self-confidence and emotional maturity to showcase these skills. They are able to persevere through this hard year by taking it a day at a time and taking advantage of the opportunities they still have to be involved at school.”
“I like how music brings everybody together,” Tuma said. “There’s something special about singing in a group and producing this sound. I really love it.”
Smith said music is a connecting point, bridging cultures. “It doesn’t matter what language you speak or where you come from,” she said. “Everybody can understand the message you’re trying to convey.”
“I really like how you have separate parts but you can come together and make something that sounds really cool and reaches everybody,” Bungum said.
Because of COVID, the students haven’t had the opportunity to sing much publicly. Typically in the spring the choir would be taking a trip, but that was canceled this year. Smith, Tuma and Bungum are also normally a part of an auditioned group called the Chamber Singers, but that too was cancelled this year.
The three students are performing in the KM spring musical “Little Shop of Horrors,” and said their lives have been taken over with rehearsals for the play. They are joined by fellow seniors Lydia Gillis and Julia Christenson, who are also known for their strong voices, among a small cast of 17 students.
“I’m incredibly lucky to have five outstanding seniors this year in ‘Little Shop of Horrors,’” said Mel Ferris, play director.
“They have all been involved in theatre and musical productions at K-M for their entire high school career, and each of them brings an incredible level of talent to the show. Everyone who has heard Gabe, Rachel and Olivia sing the national anthem knows how beautifully their voices blend when they sing together, but they are also knock outs when singing solos.
“In this cast, they are joined by amazing talents of Lydia Gillis and Julia Christenson, who also have stellar voices,” Ferris said. “All four senior girls are also members of Bella Voce Women’s Choir. My seniors bring a level of talent and professionalism to their performances that make them all a delight to work with and watch perform on stage. They also bring out the best in the younger students and have helped inspire them to work harder and perform at their best.”
Tuma said music is a gigantic part of the students’ lives, and has “basically invaded every part of it.” Smith used to play soccer and hockey but her love for music grew so much that she gave up those two sports. Bungum said he’s involved in robotics, but even there they are always listening to music or singing along to songs.
As for the future, Tuma plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and major in public health. She will get a music minor. Smith is going to Minnesota State University-Mankato and is thinking of going into music performance. Bungum is undecided about his plans for next year, but intends to stay involved with music.
To see the students perform in “Little Shop of Horrors,” get your tickets soon. “Little Shop of Horrors” will play live onstage in the Minnesota WiFi Performing Arts Center at K-M High School on Friday, April 23, and Saturday, April 24 at 7 p.m.; Sunday, April 25 at 2 p.m., and then again on Friday, April 30 and Saturday, May 1 at 7 p.m. and on Sunday, May 2 at noon. The show will be streamed on the Internet the following weekend, on May 7 and May 8 at 7 p.m., and May 9 at 2 p.m.