The 69th All State Chorus event was held in Rapid City on October 29-30.
A combined effort of the South Dakota Music Educators Association (SDMEA) and the South Dakota High School Activities Association, All State Chorus is an opportunity for high school singers from every school district in South Dakota to come together, rehearse and perform choral pieces under the direction of nationally renowned conductors and teachers.
This year’s chorus conductor was Mark Myers. Myers is a nationally recognized choral conductor and music educator. In his role as Associate Artistic Director, he co-conducts Voice of Chicago, conducts the Austin Neighborhood Choir and in the In-School Program, mentors the Future Music Educators Cohort for aspiring BIPOC music educators and oversees Chicago Children’s Choir’s music faculty. Mark also takes the lead in the coordination and development of the Choir’s performance-based culturally responsive curriculum.
South Dakota All State chorus members are selected locally and each school is allowed to bring a predetermined number of quartets (Soprano, Bass, Alto, Tenor) based on the school’s enrollment. This year, Hanson School’s quartet members were: seniors: Maryn Somerville (soprano); Jon Aulner (bass); Doug Nelson (tenor); and junior: Annalyse Weber (alto).
The singers spent many daily rehearsals preparing for the event and attended workshops at South Dakota State University in Brookings and at Armour High School.
The All State Chorus weekend schedule was rigorous with approximately 12 hours of rehearsal on Friday, another three hours on Saturday and a concert on Saturday night at The Monument in Rapid City.
On Saturday afternoon, Aulner and Nelson were among several particpants who were recognized at a special ceremony for being four-year members of All-State Chorus!
Congratulations to the Hanson All-State Quartet!