Dexter student named all district orchestra concert master

DEXTER, Mo.-- Her talents continue to take her to new heights.

Dexter High School senior, Diana Lanpher, has been the focus of previous articles in The Daily Statesman for her numerous musical accomplishments, many of which are unique to a student her age.

Lanpher is an accomplished violinist. Her talents have led her to play with the Memphis Youth Orchestra and to study under a member of the Germantown Symphony. She has consistently received superior ratings at district, regional and state level competitions.

The 17-year-old senior has a world of dreams, all seemingly revolving around her musical future. At least one of those dreams was fulfilled in October.

"I remember playing in the district concert when I was in seventh grade and my cousin from Cape was concert master," she said. "I was in the back of the violin section and I just remember thinking, 'I wish I could be there someday.'"

Next weekend, she will be.

Lanpher was named concert master following the recent All District Orchestra competition held at Sikeston. Although Dexter High School does not have an orchestra, Lanpher competes annually on her own for a seat in the elite assembly.

"I really wanted to be named first chair in violin but I also really, really hoped I'd be considered for Concert Master," she said.

The title goes to the best of the best. On the evening of the competition last month, at home after the long day of competition, the phone call came. The title of Concert Master belonged in 2009 to Diana Lanpher. The first seat in the violin section was also hers.

Two judges have made the selection from hundreds who tried out for the All-District Orchestra.

The title grants Lanpher not just a special name, but special duties during the upcoming All-District concert to be held next weekend at Sikeston High School.

"I'll take my place on stage in front of the whole orchestra to coordinate their final tuning before the concert; and I'll be the one that all orchestra members are to look to if they get lost during any part of the concert," she said.

The conductor, who is called in from an outside school district, will appear on stage and shake Lanpher's hand before she is to take her seat and the music will commence.

"It's just a huge honor, and I'm very excited about it," she said.

Lanpher lived another dream just last weekend when she appeared for a solo performance before the annual conference of the Missouri School Board Association at Lake of the Ozarks in Tan-Tar-A.

After a recommendation came to the association from local Supt. Dr. Ken Jackson, Lanpher was invited to perform both Saturday night, Oct. 24 and again during the Sunday meeting. She was asked to play 'America the Beautiful,' and selected her own second piece to play, 'Csardas.'

"Diana Lanpher 'wowed' 2,000 school board members and superintendents at the 2009 Missouri School Board Conference at Tan-Tar-A," says Jackson, adding, "She is a tremendous talent on the violin, a great school citizen, and we were fortunate to have her representing our school district at the conference."

Lanpher received a standing ovation for her performance, another first for the promising musician.

"I was a nervous wreck," she said. "I was so shaky until I began to play and then everything was fine; and I just got lost in the music."

Lanpher was the MSBA's first solo guest performer. For the Sunday performance, again before 2,000 guests, she elected to play her emotional rendition of "Amazing Grace."

"I'm afraid I made a lot of people cry," she says.

Lanpher is quick to credit not only her parents for their support of her musical endeavors, but also the local school district.

"They have endorsed me in so many aspects of my music, and they have accommodated me during this time so that I can practice with the group at Sikeston for the All-District Orchestra concert," she said.

"I couldn't be in a better place."