Some may believe that love conquers all, even budget obstacles.

On February 14, the Air Academy High School choir hosted a coffee-house style Valentine’s Day fundraising concert in the library. 18 solo and small group acts performed, including students from both Air Academy High School and Eagleview Middle School. Acts included vocal, instrumental and even aerial silk performances.

“The concert was amazing! It was put together very well and I thoroughly enjoyed it,” said concert attendee sophomore Kesler Stutzman. 

This upcoming summer, 54 students from the AAHS choir are traveling to New York City to perform the debut of Kevin T. Padworski’s newest piece, Wanderlust, at Carnegie Hall. During this trip students will stay together in a hotel, see a broadway show, and attend a dinner cruise. Though the Kadets are enthusiastic about this upcoming experience, cross-country plane tickets are very expensive. In fact, it will cost $28,000 to fly everyone out.

Beginning first semester, choir director Austina Lee led brainstorming sessions for fundraising projects. With the help of students and parents, fundraising events such as Christmas caroling, Snap! Raise emails and Butterbraid sales have raised approximately $18,000. In the next upcoming fundraiser, headed by senior Josiah Bathje, choir students will visit local businesses and ask for donations. 

The most recent fundraising project, the Valentine’s Day concert, raised approximately $2,100 of that total. Headed by sophomore Josh Maynard, junior Molly Guiberson, and junior Kalee Hollingsworth, this event not only raised money for the students, but provided entertainment and gave choir students an outlet to showcase their talent as well. The concert also included a silent auction which contributed to the fundraiser’s overall sum. 

Both Lee and the committee heads were overjoyed with the successful turnout.

“The turnout was great—better than we expected given the date and schedule conflicts,” said Lee.

The library looked both festive and welcoming; tables were decorated with pink paper and sprinkled with plastic hearts. White string lights were hung above the miniature stage, creating a warm and cozy ambiance. The library’s glass classroom housed the silent auction set-up, with a professional jewelry display just outside the door. Outside the library windows facing the hallway, Michaela Hein performed her aerial silk routine for viewers to observe when they were not watching the acts on stage.

This project was only made possible by extensive brainstorming and hard, Kadet work. Maynard said that during the planning process, committee heads “organized the setup for the concert and contacted vendors, AAHS staff members, and the EMS choir to advertise for and create this fundraising event.” 

Looking back on the concert, it’s impossible to see it as anything but a huge success. Parents and students enjoyed the festive, love-themed night of music and talent, and the AAHS choir department moved a large step closer to New York City.