Lebanon Trail Choir Newsletter
August Newsletter

Our Director
In addition to his work as the Choir Director at LTHS, Mr. Buntyn also serves as a Choral Curriculum Designer for Frisco ISD. He holds a Master of Education in Educational Administration and Supervision and a Bachelor of Music Education from Lamar University and Louisiana State University. He has taught elementary, middle, and high school in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Richardson, Allen, and Frisco, Texas. His choirs are consistently awarded superior ratings at UIL and invitational competitions and he is frequently asked to be an adjudicator and clinician across the state of Texas.
Mr. Buntyn recently served as the Vocal Division Chair for TMEA Region 24 from 2018-2020 and previously served as the vocal coordinator for TMEA Region 25 Vocal Division from 2014-2016. Prior his position at Lebanon Trail High School, he directed the Allen Symphony Chorus and well as served as the Director of Music at Wellspring United Methodist Church.
Mr. Buntyn, his wife Kimberly, their UNT college freshman Jacob, an LTHS graduate, incoming LTHS freshman Henry, and fourth grader Emma live in nearby Plano. Kimberly works as a Coordinator of Special Education for Frisco ISD.
You may contact Mr. Buntyn at buntynm@friscoisd.org if you have any questions about the Lebanon Trail Choral Program.

Our Voice Teacher
My name is Connor Rayman and I just graduated with my Bachelor of Music in Music Performance (Vocal Performance) from The University of North Texas. I have studied voice with baritones Jeffrey Snider, Jeff MacMullen, and famous operatic tenor, Barry Craft, who was a very successful professional opera singer and winner of Luciano Pavarotti's very first competition to find the next great tenor. I have also had the privilege of performing duets and arias with Mr. Craft. I have performed numerous roles with UNT Opera including KruĊĦina in "The Bartered Bride, " City Marshall in "Street Scene, " and First Priest in "The Magic Flute". I have been a featured performer at Music City Mall in Lewisville, Texas where I had the privilege to entertain crowds with a versatile mix of jazz, opera, musical theater, adult contemporary, and oldies. I have been selected as a featured vocalist with Shanghai Disneyland.
I have a passion for music and a dream of sharing that passion with the world. My goal is to become a professional opera singer. I also have a love for working with children and am excited to teach voice lessons to the students of FISD. When I attended Stafford MS, I originally took choir as a blow-off class. My choir director, Ms. Bond, saw something special in me and inspired me to pursue singing. When I attended Lone Star HS, Mrs. Wagner and Mr. Miller continued developing me as a vocalist and as a result, I was very successful in the UIL music competitions. Because of their kindness and diligence, I was able to take voice lessons at school. It will be a huge honor to provide voice lessons to the singers at LT and inspire our singers to realize anything is possible with hard work.
If you would like to take private voice during class at LT, please read and sign the contract at the link below by Friday, August 11 at 5 pm. Space is limited so do not delay.

Parents! We Need You!
The Booster Club supports social events, choir trips, scholarships, and entry fees. It is a crucial part of our mission for our singers!
Please remember to pay Booster Membership Fees and Student Fees
We ask that all families join the booster club at the Bronze ($25), Silver ($50), or Gold ($100) level. Please support your students by supporting the booster club!
All students are required to pay their choir fees based on their ensemble.
Links are at the end of the Smore.
Email me at buntyn@friscoisd.org if you need to speak to me.

What is District Audition? What is the All-State Process?
Where Can I Get Help?
- Monday - Friday 8:30 - 9 am in the Choir Room
- Monday - Wednesday, 4:30 - 5:30 in the Choir Room
Please sign up for a time on the Lebanon Trail Choir Google Calendar
Music Scores will be handed out in class.

What Do I Have To Do To Be A Member of Tri-M Music Honor Society?
- The Tri-M Music Honor Society is a program of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), which focuses on creating future leaders in music education and music advocacy.
- Tri-M is the only music honor society for high school students in United States.
- Tri-M recognizes students that have gone above and beyond both academically and musically.
- Tri-M also provides students leadership opportunities to make a difference in their community through music-based service projects.
- There are more than 2,100 chapters across 50 states and 15 countries.
- Each year, student members contribute more than 750,000 service hours to their school and local communities and raise nearly $1 million for causes they care about
- a semester of high school choir with an 3.67 GPA in their choir emsemble
- have an average of 3.0 in all other classes
- have auditioned for District All-State Choir Auditions
All Seniors MUST audition on September 12th at the District Auditions to graduate with the Tri-M Honor Society Cord.

All Rehearsals, Performances, Trips, and Testing Dates are shared on this Google calendar. As rehearsal times for the Musical are released, they will be added.