About Us

Shawnee Mission South HIGH SCHOOL
Choral Music

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ABOUT US

Shawnee Mission South Choral Music

The Shawnee Mission South Choral Music Department began in 1967 under the direction of Dr. Don Donaldson. SMS quickly developed a reputation for outstanding choral music. Within a few years choir enrollment began to increase so rapidly that an additional director was needed. One of the first female high school choral directors in the state, Marie Lerner-Sexton, was hired as co-director of choirs. Several years later Mrs. Lerner-Sexton took the reigns as director of choirs. Under Sexton’s pristine musical leadership SMS choirs maintained the standard of excellence featuring several performances at the Kansas Music Educators Association In-Service Workshop. In the early 90s Geranne Whittman was hired as choral director. From the mid-90s to 2006, Pam Williamson served as choral director. During her tenure Williamson not only sustained strong choral ensembles but, further developed a sense of inclusivity that still thrives today. In 2006, present director of choirs, Dustin Cates took the podium. Cates, along with hard-working students and parents have kept Shawnee Mission South on the map as one of the strongest and most active high school choral programs in the state.

Our Director

Dustin S. Cates has served as director of choirs at Shawnee Mission South High School since 2006. His teaching duties include: Musical Theatre Workshop, Voice Technique, Varsity Men, Women’s Choir, Chanticleers, Heritage Singers and A Cappella Choir. Under Cates’s leadership, SMS Choirs have consistently earned superior ratings at music festivals and have performed in a variety of venues including Walt Disney World and New York City’s Carnegie Hall. In the winter of 2011 three Shawnee Mission South choral ensembles performed at the Kansas Music Educators Association In-Service Workshop, an unprecedented accomplishment. Before coming to Shawnee Mission South, Cates was Director of Choirs at Raytown South High School in Raytown, Missouri. Mr. Cates holds a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance, where he studied with Dr. Charles Robinson and Dr. Eph Ehly, and a Master of Science in School Leadership from Baker University. Cates is a part of the music ministry team at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection. In addition to his role as a choral musician, Cates is an active member of the Kansas City theatre community as both actor and director. Mr. Cates is a member of the National Association for Music Education, American Choral Directors Association, and Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts. He serves on the executive board for the Kansas Choral Directors Association as webmaster and is High School Choir Chair for the Northeast Kansas District of the Kansas Music Educators Association. Cates is a past recipient of the KCDA Outstanding Young Choral Director Award. Mr. Cates resides in Kansas City, Missouri with his partner Dr. Raymond Cattaneo and their son Emmaus.

Our Accompanist

Jan Willbanks is the staff accompanist at Shawnee Mission South High School. She came to Shawnee Mission South after playing for choirs for 15 years in the Blue Valley School District including Blue Valley West High School, Blue Valley North High School and Overland Trail Middle School. She also served as accompanist at Belton High School in Belton, Missouri. In addition to serving as choral accompanist she is active in the Kansas City theatre community. Jan is the Vocal Music director for the main stage musicals at Blue Valley North High School and vocal directs the senior division of the Blue Valley Parks and Recreation Musical Theatre Camp for young people. She has also accompanied for productions with Crown Center’s Musical Theatre Heritage, Theatre in the Park, and the Blue Valley Youth Players. Also an accomplished vocalist, Ms. Willbanks sings lead vocals for the Pearl Mic Project, a Kansas City jazz and Latin band, and sings regularly at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. In the midst of her busy performance schedule, Willbanks manages to find time to spend with her two beautiful daughters, two handsome sons and her delightful puppy named Tilly (who unfortunately does not show an interest in singing or playing the piano).