The OHS Music department was well represented at Minnesota honor ensembles in February. Last year, students auditioned or were selected for select choirs, bands and orchestras with musicians from all over Minnesota. Many students from OHS were able to participate.
OHS freshmen and sophomores got the chance to audition for an honor choir and were selected among hundreds of high school students across Minnesota. Eight representatives from OHS were chosen to participate in the American Choral Directors Association 9th and 10th grade Honor Choirs. The students were Vitaly Bauer, Carson Van Gelder, Logan Halverson, Will Halverson, Lucy Jacobs, Caleb Schack, Norah Seas and Finn Vieths.
Sophomore Lucy Jacobs has been involved in choir for ten years. Jacobs was one of the eight students chosen to participate in the honor choir. Jacobs auditioned at the last minute with no expectations of what would happen. Jacobs said, “It was very rewarding to sing with kids I had just met and get to grow as a musician with new people.”
Even though Jacobs was hesitant, she was glad she got the opportunity to be selected for the Honor Choir. Jacobs said, “The most rewarding part was getting to make great music all day.”
Eight juniors and seniors were nominated to represent Owatonna High School in All-State ensembles, including choir, band and orchestra. The audition process started in the summer when they learned and practiced music. Once selected, students went to a summer camp to rehearse and perfect their music and perform it on the last day. In February, students had the opportunity to perform at Orchestra Hall.
All-State Members:
Choir: Kalleigh Malecha
Bands: Tate Berkley, Amanda Clubb, Cora Hess, Jack Nelson and Logan Langeberg
Orchestra: Brandon Matecjek and Theresa Wunderlich
Paula Asmus has been a choir director for four years but has been the head choir director for Owatonna for two years. Asmus plays a crucial role in helping her students be able to be nominated for All-State. The process for auditioning can be tricky to do individually.
However, Asmus said, “My role is to help record and prepare their different excerpts and scales and their selected solos and submit everything online.” Asmus helped one of her students, Kalleigh Malecha, an OHS junior in the Concert Choir, audition for All-State. Malecha is involved in the musical, Carolers, and solo/ensemble contests. Malecha got the opportunity to be picked for All-State after auditioning in the summer and had only good things to say about her experience.
Malecha said, “The most rewarding part is that I got to sing with many talented people and make new friends. It was really heartwarming to be with a ton of people that enjoy something as much as I do, and I would definitely do it again.”
Choir was not the only department represented at All-State. OHS band and orchestra students who auditioned and were picked also got to represent. Their audition process was very similar to that of the choir, where they received music during the summer to rehearse, record and send for their audition. The commitment level was also very similar to the choir. They practiced during the summer and went to a camp in August.
Theresa Wunderlich was a participant in the All-State Orchestra and is a part of the Symphony Orchestra. Wunderlich loved the opportunity to be in the All-State Orchestra. Wunderlich said, “It was cool playing with people from all over the state, you got to hear how their schools are different/similar to yours and meet new people you may not have encountered if not for All-State.”
These OHS students who participated in honor ensembles expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent Owatonna music!
