Welcome to Lewis Central Vocal Music
Class Descriptions and Director Profiles
By Brian Johnson
November 10, 2008
Lewis Central Vocal Music Contact Information:
- Brian Johnson (712) 366-8377
- Ryan Pivonka (712) 366-8236
- LCHS Fax: (712) 366-8340
- Director's e-mail addresses:
bjohnson@lewiscentral.k12.ia.us
rpivonka@lewiscentral.k12.ia.us
LewisCentral High School Choral Music:
Bass Clef Chorus
This non-auditioned choir is open to any Ninth Grade boy who likes to sing, or is interested in learning to sing. The course is designed to work with the male voice through the voice change. In addition, students work on fundamentals of music reading and stage presence. We perform one concert per trimester. These students may be invited to do a solo or participate in a small ensemble for contest. Students may be selected to audition for the Iowa Choral Directors Association (ICDA) Opus Honor Choir.
Treble Clef Chorus
This non-auditioned choir is open to any Ninth Grade girl who likes to sing, or is interested in learning to sing. The course is designed to work with the female voice in developing tone quality and breath support. In addition, students work on fundamentals of music reading and stage presence. We perform one concert per trimester. These students may be invited to do a solo or participate in a small ensemble for contest. Students may be selected to audition for the Iowa Choral Directors Association (ICDA) Opus Honor Choir.
Concert Choir
This is a non-auditioned choir for students in Grades 10 – 12. The course is designed to work on fundamentals of music reading, vocal production and stage presence. We perform one concert per trimester. Concert Choir represents Lewis Central at the Council Bluffs All-City Music Festival each Spring. Numerous students study private voice for State Solo & Small Ensemble contest in the Spring.
Chamber Choir
This is an auditioned choir for students in Grades 10 – 12. They perform a wide variety of music including the All-State literature. Members of the choir sing the National Anthem for several athletic events at Lewis Central. Numerous students study private voice for State Solo & Small Ensemble solo contest.
Lewis Express
This is an auditioned ensemble for students in Grades 9 – 12. They perform at the Middle School exhibition, Winter Concert, Show Choir Opener, State Show Choir Contest, Swing Show, and invitationals, including the Lewis Central Invitational. Emphasis is based on vocal and visual showmanship. They help host the LC Invitational Show Choir Contest in March.
Lewis Corporation
This is an auditioned ensemble for students in Grades 9 – 12. They perform at the Middle School exhibition, Winter Concert, Show Choir Opener, Swing Show, and invitationals, including the Lewis Central Invitational. They continually score well and place in final rounds of competition. They help host the LC Invitational Show Choir Contest in March.
Jazz Choir
This is an auditioned ensemble for students in grades 10-12. They perform at the Swing Show, Winter Concert, and Spring Concert, as well as other requested performances. This ensemble performs jazz standards as well as new jazz arrangements. In addition to jazz, they perform a variety of pop arrangements and challenging chamber music.
Men's Chorus
The LC Men's Chorus is for students in grades 9-12. They perform at the Spring Concert and at State Large Group Contest. This ensemble performs a wide variety of men's choral literature. Male blending, vocal tone, and musical performance basics are key ideas worked on while learning the music.
Director Profiles
Brian Johnson is
Co-Director of Choral Activities at Lewis Central High School in
Council Bluffs, IA. Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, Brian
received his Bachelor Degree in K-12 Vocal Music Education from
Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, Iowa. He went on to The
University of Southern Mississippi where he received his MM in
Choral Conducting. Brian taught at Le Mars Community High
School for three years prior to coming to Lewis Central. He
co-directs seven choirs, two show choirs, and jazz choir.
As a member of the Iowa Choral Director's Association, Brian has
served as the Opus Ninth Grade Mixed Honor Choir Chair, Summer
Convention Social Co-Chair, and on the Northwest ICDA Honor Choir
Festival Committee. He has and continues to volunteer his
time on school and district committees such as CSIP and
LCEA Building Representative. Brian has been fortunate
to be asked to guest clinician choir festivals and summer camps
around Iowa.
Brian lives in Council Bluffs with his wife Emily, a choreographer
for show choirs, musicals, and studio work. They are proud parents
of their son, Tyson, and their two dogs, Brask and Bear.
Ryan Pivonka is Co-Director of Choral Activities at Lewis Central High School in Council Bluffs, IA. Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, Ryan received his Bachelor Degree in K-12 Music Education from The University of Nebraska Omaha. He is currently working towards finishing his MS in Education Administration, also at UNO. This summer he plans to begin his Masters degree in Vocal Performance from The University of Nebraska Lincoln. Prior to coming to Lewis Central, Ryan taught for six years at Ralston High School in Omaha, Nebraska.
Ryan is an accomplished performer in the Omaha metro area. Favorite roles include Jonathan Larson, TICK, TICK BOOM (Stages of Omaha), Che, Evita (Millenium Theatre), Radames, AIDA (Ralston Community Theatre), Trevor Graydon, Thoroughly Modern Millie (Omaha Community Playhouse), and the title role in Jekyll & Hyde (Ralston Community Theatre). Ryan also directs a church choir and is a member of a community choir.
About Lewis Central High School:
Built in 2000, Lewis Central High School serves approximately 900 students in grades 9-12. E.A. Kreft Elementary, Titan Hill Intermediate School and Lewis Central Middle School feed into Lewis Central High School, with a total school population of 2850 students. Nearly 500 students from Council Bluffs and surrounding communities open enroll into Lewis Central Community Schools. Lewis Central High School is located at 3504 Harry Langdon Blvd. in Council Bluffs, Iowa near Interstate 29 and Highway 92.
