by Sydney Perkins |

Every fall, Women’s Honors Choir and Concert Choir perform at the annual Kansas City Renaissance Festival in Bonner Springs, Kansas. Both choirs have been performing at the festival for over 15 years. It has now become a tradition that was first started by a previous director. Current directors, Dr. Rika Heruth and Mrs. Sharon Parker, keep the tradition alive. This year’s performances will take place on October 8th. Students are set to arrive at 10:00 am and will perform until 4:00 pm.

It is easy to understand why the choir participates in the Kansas City Renaissance Festival.

“The students get a realistic glimpse into what secular vocal music was like during the renaissance and the role that singing played in daily life,” Heruth said.

A lot more planning goes into performing at the Kansas City Renaissance Festival than students might think. Both choirs have less than two months to learn the music and put their performances together. Learning music quickly can be hard, not to mention the a cappella musical style.

“It is pretty difficult because the music is really challenging since there is no accompaniment. It is just us singing without any other music,” junior Sarah Cadd said.

Music styles dating from the Renaissance age to the present have changed drastically.

“Its very heterophonic, which means it goes different paces, and it’s not all together,” sophomore Nina Hawkins said.

Throughout the day, students will be participating and interacting with the festival’s many activities.

“Students are assigned three to four performances on different stages throughout the festival area,” Heruth said. “When not performing, students are free to enjoy the festival, watch other shows and performances, look at crafts and sample the wonderful food!”

Something quite unique about the Kansas City Renaissance Festival is that everyone is dressed in costume. When attending the festival, it is a must to represent attire from the actual Renaissance time period.  This is no exception for the choir. They take part in dressing up as well and are able to take their costuming to new levels by making their own costumes. There are a few members who take it a little too seriously.

“A lot of people at the festival take it really seriously and sometimes it can be kind of funny,” McCarroll said. “There are guys that wear like goat legs and they’ve got horns and they have a whole bunch of different makeups on and different dresses,”

Not only do the teachers love taking part in the Festival, but the students do too.

“This is a tradition that our students cherish, and it marks a super fun kickoff to our performance season each fall,” Heruth said.

The shows and performances are things students ordinarily do not see everyday. The Renaissance age is known for its outrageous clothing, great food and knights in shining armor. The shows range from comedy to medieval reenactments. Walking around, students are surrounded by period music, dancing and might even see jousting or fire eating.

“Its really fun and just a goofy day for us to dress up and go sing,” Cadd said.

Thanks to the Festival students are provided a unique opportunity to demonstrate their talents – Huzzah!