By Elaine Rassel
The year is 2021 and COVID-19 didn’t affect our MMCRU High School Spring Concert as it did last year. The audience was ready to listen to these music Choir students under the direction of Mr. Andrew Wotherspoon.
The High School Choir took to the risers with their first selection of “Canon of Praise”. We cannot have a program without a spiritual and this year was no exception as they sang “Ain’t That Good News”. “Water Fountain” was their third selection. Their concluding song was “The Wellerman”.
Choir Members include Isabella Ahlers, Jordyn Holsinger, Jacob Johnson, Alyana Murray, Caitlin Olson, Ryan Olson, Elizabeth Pedersen, Andrea Penning, Alissah Poppema, Emily Rains, Victoria Rojas, Hope Russell, Zachery Sanow, Blaine Wicks*, Jaxon Woodall, and Mykin Youde. *Denotes Senior
Then it was a scurry for five of the Choir Members to get ready to take their place in the band section!
With every one of the Band members seated, they favored the audience with their first selection that was divided into three parts: “Three Ayres from Goucester” Mvt.1 The Jolly Earl of Cholmondeley and Mvt. 3 The Fiefs of Wembley.
Their second selection took us to Korea with, “Korean Folk Rhapsody”. Get ready to go North with, “Due North”. The percussion section was busy in this selection. No band concert would be complete without a “march”. The band came alive with the conclusion of their part of the program “Winchester March”.
Band Members under the direction of Ms. Emma Davis were: Flutes: Ellie Hilbrands, Makenzie Meyer, Hannah Doellinger, and Caitlin Olson. Trumpets: Josh Armfield, Hope Russell, and Alyana Murray. Clarinets: Abby VanMaanen, Regan Peters, Ellie Reuter, Leandra Klinker, Michelle Schmidt, and Jordyn Holsinger. Baritones: Brett Staab and Mason Peters. Saxophones: Mattie Dias, Jaclyn Kabisch, and Elsie Hogg. Tuba player was Tyler Frederes. Percussion: Braeden Kamphoff*, Ryan Olson, Eban Hicks, Olivia Flewelling, Jaidyn Ballard, Kaden Gasses, and Caleb Kamphoff. *Denotes Senior.
Then it was time for the AWARDS to be given out. Some of the students had been in Choir/Band all four years (maybe some from Junior High) Those receiving a Choir Certificate were: Jordyn Holsinger, Jacob Johnson, Alyana Murray, Caitlin Olson, Ryan Olson, Andrea Penning, Hope Russell, Zachery Sanow, Blaine Wicks, Jaxon Woodall, and Mykin Youde.
Those Choir members receiving a Choir Letter included: Isabella Ahlers, Elizabeth Pedersen, Alissah Poppema, Emily Rains, and Victoria Rojas. The NATIONAL SCHOOL CHORAL AWARD was given to Victoria Rojas! Band Certificate Awards were given to: Josh Armfield, Jaidyn Ballard, Hannah Doellinger, Olivia Flewelling, Kaden Galles, Eban Hicks, Ellie Hilbrands, Jordyn Holsinger, Jaelyn Kabisch, Caleb Kamphoff, Leandra Klinker, Makenzie Meyer, Alyana Murray, Caitlin Olson, Ryan Olson, Mason Peters, Hope Russell, Michelle Schmidt, and Brett Staab. Band Letterwinners were: Mattie Dias, Tyler Frederes, Elspeth Hogg, Braeden Kamphoff, Regan Peters, Ellie Reuter, and Abby VanMaanen.
The 2021 High School Music Concert concluded with the most prestigious Band Award given, “The John Philip Sousa Award”. Tyler Frederes* was the 2021 recipient of this award! Congratulations, Tyler.
(I never get tired of saying that the Band/Choir members have TALENT, and they showed it at this Spring Concert!)
Upcoming Events include Friday (May 7) with the Large Group Music Contest at Newell-Fonda. This includes band and choir.
Sunday, May 23 is the MMCRU High School Graduation at 2 p.m. Band will be playing.
Monday, May 31 is the Memorial Day Ceremony with band playing.
(I want to thank Ms. Davis and Mr. Wotherspoon for sending the Award recipients on to me.)