The student-run news site of Lawrence Free State High School

Free Press Online

The student-run news site of Lawrence Free State High School

Free Press Online

The student-run news site of Lawrence Free State High School

Free Press Online

Album covers from releases in March.

REVIEW: March Music Mania

Baila Love, Photographer April 22, 2024

Though not known for having many releases each year, March was a huge month for music. Despite the many A-List albums in March, there was a wide array of music released this month. One of the biggest...

Album cover of country-pop artist, Kacey Musgravess newest LP, Deeper Well.

REVIEW: Deeper Well by Kacey Musgraves

Mallory Thompson, News Photo Editor April 6, 2024

On March 15, Kacey Musgraves released her new album, Deeper Well, in which the country pop artist embraces a new facet of cottagecore, healing, and stripped back guitars. Musgraves has always been known...

Illustration by Mylie Brillhart

NEWS: TikTok Goes Silent as Artists’ Music is Removed

Corinne Kingsley, Reporter March 4, 2024

On Feb. 1, the Universal Music Group failed to reach their licensing agreement with TikTok. Content creators on TikTok no longer can create videos using music made by artists in UMG, and many TikTokers’...

Student songwriters senior Natalie Riley and senior Ayden Tindall partnered up to create their single Right Side. Photo collected from Natalie Riley.

FEATURE: Classroom Melodies

Phoebe Morris, Reporter November 17, 2023

High school songwriters often feel they are able to add components that many other professionals can't speak on. Not only do their lyrics defer from those at a professional standpoint, but it also incorporates...

Melissa Smith holds her Lied Center award. Smith has been working in music education for the last 32 years, and teaches at both Free State and West Middle School currently.

FEATURE: Impactful Individual

Claire Heinritz November 9, 2023

Every year, an exceptional teacher is awarded the Impact Award from the Lied center; this year, assistant band director Melissa Smith won the award. The award has been given to educators and musicians...

After receiving advice from her students, orchestra director Judy Erpelding marks her music. Although the director normally makes the artistic decisions, Erpelding will often consult her students and hear their opinions on what sounds good and what they should try out. “[The students] are the heart of the program, not me,” Erpelding said. “I know they will carry that on and I will miss them. Making great music with them, being able to challenge them, taking their inspiration.”

NEWS: Judy Erpelding Announces Resignation

Lilly Wall May 11, 2023

After serving as the Director of Orchestras program for 11 years at the school, Judy Erpelding has announced her resignation, effective May 26.  With this position being her first teaching job, she...

How Music Helps Kids with School

Katie Diaz, Multimedia Reporter October 5, 2017

Our Scene hopes to incorporate buddies into the Lawrence music community and provide a sense of security for individuals in need at events.

‘Our Scene’ invites underrepresented youth to safely engage in music community

Sam Spencer, Online Editor-in-Chief October 12, 2016
For the first time, the trend of of aggressive male audience members is facing an organized opposition in the form of a LGBTQ+ advocating, minority inclusive, safe space supporting group, 'Our Scene'.
Long awaited after the release of his 2012 album, Ocean released Blonde exclusively on Apple Music on August 20, 2016.

Modern R&B icon Frank Ocean stuns listeners with first album in four years

Sam Spencer, Online Editor-in-Chief September 10, 2016
“Blonde” opens in a dream state. It feels simplistic, calm, like you are listening from the bottom of a swimming pool. Somewhere between the start of the album and the end of the second track, “Ivy”
Ray Goren is an up and coming artist that gave the Free Press his album to review.

Reporter reviews “Songs for You” by Ray Goren

Madi Engnehl-Thomas, Reporter December 16, 2015

When I was first handed the album “Songs for You” by Ray Goren, I had no idea what to think. The three yellow, red and blue dots on the cover reminded me of Rock Band. Due to not owning a CD player...

Kevin Marcus and Wil B of Black Violin pose with their instruments. The duo is coming to the Lied Center on October 1.

Black Violin pushes boundaries of classical music in upcoming Lawrence concert

Kaya Shafer, Copy Editor September 25, 2015

On October 1, Black Violin will be coming to the Lied Center of Kansas for the second time. Putting a modern twist on classical music, Kevin Slyvester (Kev Marcus) and Wilner Baptiste (Wil B) took what...

Senior AJ Zarnowiec

The road to Encore

Libby Stanford, Reporter March 10, 2015

For two months, 175 of Free State’s best performers spend day and night preparing for Encore, the school’s annual music variety show. Singers form groups as early as winter break, polishing their act...

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