By Matthew Hornung, Director of Information Technology for Lee’s Summit Physicians Group

Lee’s Summit Physicians Group has three doctors whose backgrounds include singing in their church choir. They’ve been singing for many years, almost as long as they’ve practiced medicine! We recently interviewed them about their choir history.

• When did you start singing?
• What part do you sing in your choir?
• Where do you sing?

Dr. Trites

I’ve been singing as long as I can remember… and I’m not telling how many years that is! I sing alto (and occasionally help with the tenor part) at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection. Our choir is typically just 10-12 people. We’re a small group, but have a great time.

I have also sung with my high school alma mater (Shawnee Mission South) on those occasions when someone organizes a reunion choir. The most exciting time was when we were able to perform at Carnegie Hall with our former director conducting us. That was in November of 2001, so it was the aftermath of the attacks on 9/11. It was a sobering, but also uplifting and unforgettable experience. It has been my great joy to watch all three of my children sing in choir for decades now. All three have had the opportunity to sing at Carnegie Hall; two have sung at the Vatican; one sang at the White House and met Michelle and Barak. We love the Ella Fitzgerald quote, “The only thing better than singing is more singing.”

Dr. Veenstra

I started singing in church choirs as a child and was fortunate enough to sing in High School Choir. I sing soprano.

Our high school was outside of Washington, D.C. and our choir got to sing at the National Cathedral in a Bach Festival. There’s nothing like classical music sung in a resounding space like a cathedral. After my schooling was finished, I sang in the Johnson County Community Chorus, and then in my church choir. We’ve had the opportunity to travel to Europe and sing in some incredible cathedrals there. Our church was just redesigned to improve the acoustics and we have a new magnificent pipe organ to sing with. I am fortunate to sing with the choir every Sunday and in concerts several times a year.

Dr. Lewandowski

I started singing in my church choir in 2009 when I became an empty nester. I sing soprano in my church choir in Leawood, Kansas, and each summer in the Lee’s Summit Summer Singers group directed by Dr William Baker.