Lakewood Legacies – Aaron Roos

I am a 2013 graduate of Lakewood High School. During my time at LHS, I was involved in Symphonic Mixed Choir, Chamber Choir, and Vive L’Four. I also joined the Barnstormers, and was lucky enough to play the Beast in our production of “Beauty and the Beast” my senior year! Throughout my time in high school, I never actually realized just how lucky I was to be part of such an incredible music program with such a supportive boosters organization.

When I began studying Choral Music Education at Bowling Green State University, I was struck by how well prepared I felt thanks to my music experiences in high school. Much of this was thanks to Lisa Hanson and Peter Hampton, the two brilliant choir directors I was lucky enough to sing for at LHS, and two of my biggest inspirations to become a choir director myself. Singing has remained a steadfast passion of mine, and during my time at BGSU I sang in the Men’s Chorus, Collegiate Chorale, and Ten40 Acappella, with the opportunity of serving as President of both Men’s Chorus and Ten40 for a year.

These groups allowed me to sing music that I loved with people that I loved, and in some cases even travel the country while doing so! My love for barbershop singing, which started with Vive L’Four, has also continued, and I’ve been able to sing with many quartets, including two that have competed in international competitions. One of them, Roses in Blue, which also featured my brother Abraham Roos, (also an LHS and Vive alum), competed in the international collegiate competition and placed fourth in the world!

Since graduating from BG last spring, I started my teaching career this fall at Anthony Wayne High School in Whitehouse, Ohio as the choir director there. I still sing in quartets as well as the Vocal Arts Ensemble, a professional choir based in Cincinnati, but currently most singing experiences are all on hold given the present circumstances, and I look forward to the day when we can all safely sing freely again.

I wouldn’t be where I am today without the Lakewood music program, and the program wouldn’t be where it is today without the boosters. At a time when support for the arts is more important than ever, the work of the boosters is truly essential, and continues to make the Lakewood High School music program one we can all be incredibly proud of.