‘The most natural singer’

Warwick Valley High School senior Luka Del Canto has been singing with the Meistersingers honors chorus group for three years. When Luka started his high school career, however, that did not look very likely.

The Warwick Valley High School curriculum guide describes the Meistersingers chorus as a select group of the most talented students in the vocal music program. An audition and recommendation from Choral Director Noreen Hanson are required for admittance to this select vocal ensemble.

But at first Hanson wasn’t sure Luka was ready.

A reliable tenor ... trusted singer’

“Then I listened to him closely and realized that not only did he know his music, he knew it perfectly,” Hanson said. “He never went off pitch and was even trying to add dynamics. By his junior year, he was one of the most reliable tenors in his section, and now as a senior, he is a real section leader, and one of my most trusted singers. He has grown so much over the past four years. He is one of the most natural singers that I have had the privilege of teaching.”

Luka’s audition for Meistersingers was not easy. He was at track practice when Hanson told him that the auditions were that day. So he auditioned with a song he had never sung before.

“I remember being a little nervous because I had some other friends there who knew what they were doing,” Luka said. “And I was like, I just got this song, I don’t know the notes or anything. But once it was my turn to audition, I kind of got it.”

‘The environment with the Meistersingers’

Then a few weeks later, Luka saw his name when the Meistersingers list was posted on the chorus room door. Luka was selected to the All County Chorus as a sophomore and a junior. He said Hanson was instrumental to his improvements.

“I really like the environment with the Meistersingers,” Luka said. “We’re like a big family. And our teacher, Ms. Hanson, she’s the best teacher ever. We learn so much and have a great time doing it too.”

In the fall, Luka will be attending Binghamton University and be majoring in biology. His plan is to take a pre-med program and then hopefully become a doctor. To prepare for that career, Luka took Principles of Biomedical Science as a sophomore and AP biology last year.

“Some of my family members are doctors,” Luka said. “And when I little I broke my arm and it really fascinated me how much doctors know about your body and how they work with it and how they can fix it.”

Luka also plays soccer as a member of the WVHS varsity team and a club team.