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Concert Choir Takes First and Second In Chicago |
The The Mason City High School’s Chamber Choir took first and the Concert Choir second at the Heritage Music Festival in Chicago on Saturday, March 27th. As a result, both choirs received gold ratings — only six of all the choirs performing were able to do so — that also brought an invitation to sing at Carnegie Hall in 2011.
“I am extremely proud of the choirs; they all worked so hard. They shared their emotions with the judges; they had great musicality,” said MCHS Director of Choral Activities Joel Everist, who spoke via telephone on the choir’s trip back to Mason City on Sunday.
Superintendent of Schools Anita Micich, a chaperone on the trip, was equally as impressed with the performances. “It’s so great to be invited to sing at Carnegie Hall — and their work with the clinicians was fun to watch,” she said.
The group worked with Dr. Karle Erickson at Northwestern University over the weekend, as well as with Dr. Lee Nelson of Wartburg College. Junior Miles Brainard, 16, a first-year choir member, said the group was excited about the competition and the clinics. “It was fascinating to watch Mr. Everist’s former professor as he worked with us,” he said, referring to Erickson.
The Chamber Choir sang selections from Bach and Mozart, as well as a piece written by Juan Tony Guzman of Luther College, who worked with the choir last week on selections members will sing when they travel to Spain this summer. “He made some changes on Thursday, and the choir was able to adapt and work hard and incorporate those changes for their performance this weekend,” Everist said. “They did a great job.”
by Deb Nicklay for The Globe Gazette