Singing in the community – Reno Choral Society gives many chance to stay involved with music

By Cassidy Peterson
Staff writer

Many college students graduate from high school and have to give up their extracurricular activities or clubs because they do not have time, or do not have access to participate in certain activities anymore. 

However, there are still ways to be involved and participate in your favorite hobbies, even if you can’t participate through Hutchinson Community College.

The Reno Choral Society is a community choir that meets on Monday nights from 7 to 9 p.m. Right now, the group is getting ready for their annual “Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.” About 30 participants are in the group, four of which are HutchCC students. 

One student that is participating, Haven freshman Logan Smith said, “My experience in Reno Choral Society has been very good. Getting together with other people from very different ages is also cool.” 

Smith also said how this group has helped him develop musically and made him a better person overall.

Riley King, the director, has been a part of Reno Choral Society for eight years and is a graduate student at Wichita State University. King said that a few HutchCC students have participated in the group throughout the years. 

This year is the largest group of HutchCC students he has had at once though. The group can be a convenient way to still be involved in music, but not take up as much time as it would have while in high school. 

Every year the group puts on three concerts: “A Salute to America” concert in July, “Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols” in December, and “The Messiah” in March. Each concert is directed by a different choir director, the March concert this year will be directed by HutchCC’s choir director, Neal Allsup. 

Wes Gaines, a Hutchinson sophomore who participates in the group said, “I think Reno Choral Society is a good way to get to know some people in the community and is also a good way to make friends.” 

Gaines said he was invited by a friend and that this is his first time participating in the group. He also made a point to mention that he is having a lot of fun and you should join if you like singing and have nothing to do on Monday nights. 

The “Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols” concert takes place at 7 p.m. Sunday at Trinity United Methodist Church on 17th and Main in Hutchinson. Tickets are $8.

Anyone who wants to participate in the group may call 620-669-9123.

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