“Heartland has been a great place to be a music teacher, but it’s time to turn over the reins to somebody else.”
It’s a bit bittersweet, as longtime Heartland vocal instructor Lynn Hall will conduct his last concerts in the next few weeks, before retiring at the end of this school year. He began his career in Henderson back in 1998. Over the span of his career at Heartland, he has witnessed plenty of change and will leave behind a consistently successful vocal music program.
Hall is a native of McCool and graduated from Doane College with a music degree and actually student taught in Henderson under the tutelage of Don Peters and Royce Switzer in 1993. He received the Platt Alumni Music Award from Doane last fall, recognizing him for his outstanding achievement in music.
“My first two years after graduation, I taught band and choir at Meridian and then went on to teach 7-12 choir in Wahoo, which I really enjoyed. But when the opportunity to teach at Henderson came up with Don’s retirement and be closer to home and family, I couldn’t pass it up,” said Hall.
Hall realized that he had some big shoes to fill, replacing Don Peters, who had left the school with a strong vocal program and traditions. “Of course, I wanted to maintain the strength of the musical traditions instilled by Don, but things change, and I found I had to adapt,” said Hall.
One big change was the consolidation of Henderson with Bradshaw shortly after Hall began teaching at Henderson. “It took some adapting, and we experienced some ups and downs combining the cultures of two different schools. When you add another community, there are different musical tastes and expectations,” said Hall.
For anyone who’s witnessed Mr. Hall at work with his students at rehearsals, concerts, and practice, he’s an inspiration for his creativity and excellent results. After watching Mr. Hall lead a daily practice with the high school choir, it’s evident that he has an inspiring, special teaching style that brings out the best in his students.
The success of the Winter Song event that he began in 2008 is just one example of how he has allowed students to express their musical strengths. It’s a special night when students perform their own musical choices, in groups, solo, and with instruments. It’s a glitzy affair with professional lighting and sound while those attending are seated at decorated tables and enjoy a light meal.
“I felt we needed something more than standing on risers and singing songs. We’ve never had a show choir here, so Wintersong was something aside from classic choral literature that seemed like a good fit to have on the off years when we didn’t have a musical,” said Hall.
Another successful new event added by Mr. Hall has been the hosting of the state-wide Junior High Choral Festival held at Heartland at the end of January. As many as 500 boys and girls meet at Heartland for the day, practicing that culminates in a public concert later that day. It began in 1998 and has been going strong ever since, except during COVID.
Mr. Hall attributes the continued strength of the Heartland music program to the strong support he has received from the administration and the community throughout his career.
“I think there has been a positive impact on our music program with the longevity we’ve experienced. Royce Switzer (former band instructor) was here for 51 years, and I think that really helps a music program with such a low turnover.”
Every year has presented new challenges and changes for Mr. Hall, but he has always tried to showcase his students’ talents when choosing musicals or songs for concerts.
“It’s always been about what the kids can do and how we can best make them successful. I learned a lot from Royce about always working toward your kids’ strengths and trying to highlight them,” said Hall.
Mr. Hall with students who sang the National Anthem at a Saltdogs game in the summer of 2004 – courtesy photo.
Mr. Hall is with his students practicing alongside student teacher Zach Rush in 2009 – courtesy photo.
When asked about what his future may look like after retiring, he’s not entirely sure. “I’ve been on the ‘bell schedule’ for a long time, from high school to college, and always on a school schedule, so I guess I’ll have to come up with a new rhythm. I’m looking forward to trying something else and seeing how it works,” said Hall.
Besides being an experienced vocal instructor, Hall is an accomplished musician himself, playing piano, guitar, brass instruments, and singing with his family since he was a young boy. Like many teachers, he also coached junior high boys’ football and basketball throughout his career at Heartland.
Wherever life takes Mr. Hall after leaving Heartland, I’m pretty sure music will be a part of his life. He and his wife, Daphne, enjoy traveling together, and he plans on accompanying her on some of her work trips. As soon as school is out, they have planned a two-week vacation in England.
In December, he conducted the choir at Bethesda Mennonite Church for Messiah, which is no small undertaking. He admitted that conducting the performance of the Messiah was probably one of the biggest musical and professional challenges he’s ever faced, but it was “tremendously rewarding.”
“Heartland has been a great place to be a music teacher, but it’s time to turn over the reins to somebody else.” Hall thinks his replacement, Kelsey Linabery, will do an excellent job taking over the musical program.
Mr. Hall’s last spring concerts are Tuesday, May 5, for the 9-12 vocal/band concert and the Spring Sing Band/Band Blast on Friday, May 15.
It will certainly be bittersweet, but we wish him well on this next phase of life and appreciate the legacy he has left behind.
