On April 18, 2024, WRHS orchestras competed at KSHSAA Large Ensemble at Lawrence High School.

This event is comparative to high school sports teams going to state competitions. Band, orchestra, and choir prepare their pieces and students for this event all school year.

This is a big convention where each musical group plays in front of judges. The scoring is a number system, one through five, five being the lowest score, and one being the highest. During the performance, judges’ comments and live reactions are being recorded so the groups can listen afterwards and know what they need to improve on.

The Symphony Orchestra received an overall score of two, and the Chamber Orchestra received an overall score of one. Chamber Orchestra played Fantasia in F by Tracey Rush, and Apocalyptic by Anton Bruckner, arranged by Kirk Moss.

Orchestra was not the only group who received a one at state, the WRHS choir also performed well. Both chorale and concert choir received perfect scores. This is the first ever superior score that the WRHS concert choir has received, which is a great achievement. 

This was an overall successful day for the music program at Washburn Rural High School.