Harmony Explosion! 2023 -- Glad to be back in person

By Jerry Meier
Harmony Explosion! 2023 was held on Saturday, Feb. 18, at Grace United Methodist Church in Olathe, Kan. This venue proved once again to be a fantastic location to host Harmony Explosion.

The last time we held this event in person was three years ago in 2020. All of the students and teachers were very happy to resume in--person singing and performing this year. Eighty students from 10 local schools sang on stage in 19 quartets during the morning session. Fourteen of the quartets earned GOLD medals and performed in the afternoon Parade of Quartets Concert.

Harmonium (Micah Jeppesen, Mark Fortino, Michael Troyer, Marshall Crowl) was the featured quartet of the day ---- they taught the mixed chorus song and judged the quartet session with volunteers from the Kansas City Chorus of Sweet Adelines. Harmonium also entertained the audience with three performances throughout the day.

THANK YOU to the dozens of Heart of America and KCCSA and Olathe Trails West volunteers that worked to produce the event, along with the staff at Grace United Methodist Church. I think that everyone thoroughly enjoyed the day and had fun helping these students throughout the day.

I want to say THANK YOU to the vocal music teachers at these 10 schools for sending their students to Harmony Explosion:

Jason Cole -- St. James Academy (5 Quartets).
Michael Mays -- Wichita Northwest HS (2 Quartets).
Nicholas Franssen -- Augusta HS (2 Quartets).
Jessie Reimer -- Mill Valley (2 Quartets).
Robin Christie -- Bishop Miege HS (2 Quartets).
Pam Williamson -- Olathe Northwest HS (2 Quartets).

Dr. Dwayne Dunn -- Lawrence HS (1 Quartet).
David Davis -- Harmony Middle School (1 Quartet).
Beth Nelson -- Oregon Trail Middle School (1 Quartet).
Cassie Southerland -- California Trail Middle School (1 Quartet).

Medals were awarded to the following quartets (To see photos, click on the link below or go to News & Events, Harmony Explosion! on the HOA home page.):

8th Grade: GOLD Medal -- T-Birds (Harmony MS, Blue Valley)
8th Grade: SILVER Medal -- Misfits (California Trail MS, Olathe)
8th Grade: SILVER Medal -- Quarter Resters (Oregon Trail MS, Olathe)

10th Grade: SILVER Medal -- Heart Strings (St. James Academy)
10th Grade: SILVER Medal -- Quarter Bass (St. James Academy)

12th Grade: GOLD Medal -- The Swoops 'N Curls (Mill Valley)
12th Grade: GOLD Medal -- The All Naturals (Olathe Northwest)
12th Grade: GOLD Medal -- Cleftomaniacs (Wichita Northwest)
12th Grade: GOLD Medal -- Marvelous Melodies (St. James Academy)
12th Grade: GOLD Medal -- Chicks with Kicks (Augusta)
12th Grade: GOLD Medal -- The Fox Trots (Mill Valley)
12th Grade: GOLD Medal -- The Looney Tones (Augusta)

12th Grade: GOLD Medal -- Miege Mamas (Bishop Miege)
12th Grade: GOLD Medal -- Ritz Crackers (Bishop Miege)
12th Grade: GOLD Medal -- Thunderous Harmony (St. James Academy)
12th Grade: GOLD Medal -- Randsom Notes (Wichita Northwest)
12th Grade: GOLD Medal -- The Accidentals (Olathe Northwest)
12th Grade: GOLD Medal -- Atune-Ah Fermata (Lawrence)
12th Grade: SILVER Medal -- The Crusaders (St. James Academy)

SAVE THE DATE -- Harmony Explosion! 2024 will be held on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, at Grace United Methodist Church in Olathe. The featured quartet will be Harmonium. I can't wait to see you there next year!