Sheldon, Iowa — Orab Band and choir students auditioned in Le Mars Saturday for spots in the 2019 Iowa All-State Music Festival, which will take place next month in Ames.
Sheldon French Horn player Kellen DeKok was selected for 1st Chair in the French Horn section of the All-State Orchestra. Sheldon instrumental music instructor Cliff St. Clair says DeKok had the highest score of any french horn player who auditioned for All-State at the Le Mars location Saturday. Orab Tuba player Alex Van Serksum was selected 2nd alternate for the All-State Band. St. Clair says Alex achieved the third highest score for tuba players at Le Mars. St. Clair says there was only one tuba player selected for All-State in Le Mars on Saturday.
Orab Choir Director Brandon Lenderink tells KIWA that two of his students, Claire Krogman and Rachel Maggert were each called back by the judges for a second audition, with Maggert eventually being selected to a spot in the All-State Choir.
The Iowa All-State Music Festival begins Thursday, November 21st with intense rehearsals, and culminates with the All-State Concert, featuring orchestra, band and choir musicians from throughout the state of Iowa, which will be held Saturday night, November 23rd at Hilton Coliseum on the campus of Iowa State University in Ames.
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Original post 1:28pm, 10/25/19
Sheldon, Iowa — Thirteen Sheldon High School musicians will be traveling to Le Mars this Saturday (October 26th) to audition for spots in the 2019 Iowa All-State Music Festival Band and Choir.
Orab band director Cliff St. Clair says five Sheldon band members will be taking part in Saturday’s auditions.
St. Clair says the auditions for the All-State Band are a high-pressure situation for the young musicians.
He says the instrumental students who are selected to participate in the All-State Festival will undergo a second audition on festival weekend.
Sheldon choir director Brandon Lenderink tells KIWA that he has eight Orab vocalists who will be auditioning Saturday for spots in the All-State Choir.
For their auditions this weekend, singers will perform musical selections that will be performed during the All-State Concert. Lenderink says that, once those students selected for All-State arrive on festival weekend they’ll be handed a surprise.
The 2019 Iowa All-State Band and Choir Music Festival weekend begins on Thursday, November 21st, and culminates in the All-State Concert Saturday evening, November 23rd at Hilton Coliseum on the campus of Iowa State University in Ames.