By Lori Ehde
After 20 years in the same robes, Luverne High School choir members are looking forward to a new look, thanks to approval from the Luverne School Board.
Choir director Beth Behal has been shopping for new robes and presented School Board members with her request and some options at the Thursday, Sept. 13, board meeting.
She said her choir has grown from 45 members in 1993 to nearly 100 members now, but that's six more students than she has robes for.
Last year she borrowed some robes from Edgerton High School, which uses a similar style. That worked for a few events, but Behal said she's hesitant to do that this year for a full year.
Also at issue is the fact that the current robes were purchased in 1981, and Behal said 20 years is the average life expectancy of the robes.
She estimates the cost of purchasing 100 new robes may be $8,000 to $10,000, but she's ordered several sample robes to find the best quality for the money.
"I'm going to look at the craftsmanship to see if the quality is reflected in the prices," she said.
High School Principal Gary Fisher supported Behal in her request. "It's been a very positive program for our students," he said of choir.
Behal said appearance is important in concert performances. "If we have a choir that sounds good, we want them to look good, too."
The current red and white choir robes will be kept to use for graduation ceremonies.
The board directed Behal present them with price quotes after she's had a chance to see some samples.
Nov. 1 is the first concert choir performance, and Nov. 5 is the Southwest Conference Festival of choirs in Worthington. Behal hopes to have robes purchased by then.