Steve Bloom/The Olympian
Tumwater High School music instructor Jack Arend has some fun with choir members Brett Youngquist, Lara Grenko and Jake Tyrrell (left to right) while rehearsing several selections as the trio prepares for the All-State choir performance.

Walsh

Morsett

DuVall

Music makers

South Sound students secure more than 70 seats in All-State groups

AMY LEE, FOR THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published Friday, February 15, 2002

OLYMPIA -- There aren't just lots of young musicians in South Sound. There are lots of really good ones.

This year, more than 70 students from around South Sound were chosen to attend the All-State Band, Orchestra, and Choir Convention this weekend.

That's especially an honor considering most schools usually don't send more than two or three students.

Bruce Caldwell, executive manager for Washington Music Educators Association, said the Olympia area consistently generates an excellent All-State turnout.

"You have a tremendous representation -- extremely high and that's been for the last 20 years," Caldwell said. "You have great music programs."

This year local districts secured numerous places in the prestigious band, orchestra, choir, jazz choir and jazz band, including 14 from Capital High School and 25 from Olympia.

During the four-day event -- part of the Music Educators National Conference -- music teachers from across the state come together to learn new techniques and strategies, while students rehearse for Monday's gala concert.

Students from North Thurston High School to Yelm High School will arrive in Yakima today to spend the weekend in intensive instrumental and choral rehearsals and perform Monday in a concert at Yakima's Sun Dome. The event is expected to draw 3,500 people.

More than 200 orchestra students will present various selections, including "Symphonic Dances" by Sergei Rachmaninoff. More than 200 band students will play selections, including "Vesuvius" by Frank Ticheli. And about 380 choir students will present numerous selections, including "Ave Maria" by Anton Bruckner as well as the finale -- with combined orchestra, band and choir performing -- "America the Beautiful" by Samuel Augustus Ward.

"We're going to have 800 or so kids performing together on 'America the Beautiful,' " Caldwell said. "Especially this year, you know how that's going to impact everybody."

Auditions

Being accepted into the All-State groups isn't easy for students.

With so many young students studying music in Washington state -- about 50,000 -- the Washington Music Educators Association must chose from the best of the best.

Each interested student sends in a taped audition with two scales, two or three etudes and -- for orchestra and band students -- a minutelong selection from solo literature.

This year more than 2,000 tapes were submitted, and only about 800 were chosen.

"When I learned that I would be going, I was thrilled, but it didn't hit me until later that they again considered me one of the best in the state," said Capital High School junior Seamus Walsh, a first-time participant.

Walsh plays the euphonium and auditioned because of encouragement from his band teacher and private instructor. "I also figured that the experience would be good, even if I didn't make it."

Many musicians from South Sound auditioned for similar reasons. "The experience of being in a 200-plus-person orchestra is pretty rare," said Olympia High School senior Nathan Wong.

Capital High School orchestra conductor John Nardolilo agreed: "All-State is a wonderful opportunity for all the best musicians to come together and perform under the guidance of a great conductor."

Preparing

Because students have only three and a half days of rehearsal before they must perform four to eight pieces, students are expected to be familiar with their music before they arrive.

"They sent a tape with almost all the songs on it with the music," said first-time choir participant and Capital High School senior Anna Morsett. "Usually I listen and sing along with the tape about four times through and then go back over the parts I need more work on. And then if I need to work on a part, without the full choir, I play it out on the piano."

Olympia High School violinist Sasha Wiktorek said being at ease with the music -- in advance -- helps make All-State is more fun.

"The last time I went to All-State, I didn't know the music very well, so I wasn't very comfortable," Wiktorek, a junior, said. "If I know the music well this time, I think I will enjoy All-State more."

Once the musicians arrive at Yakima, they will immediately begin with a three-hour rehearsal.

Each of the next two days the groups will rehearse for about seven hours, and finally, on the day of the concert, they will wrap up with a dress rehearsal.

Heavy rehearsing can be hard, said soprano Christine Knackstedt, a senior from Olympia High School. "It was really tiresome at times -- lots of rehearsals."

Activities

Aside from preparing for the gala concert, All-State provides many other music and social activities for its participants.

Although most musicians opt to stay in their hotel for the rest of the night, transportation is still provided for those who wish to attend concerts instead.

Tonight there will be an All-State jazz concert featuring high school All-State jazz students.

Saturday night the world-famous Canadian Brass will perform, and Sunday night students can go to a social event in which orchestra, band and choir members can hang out together.

Past experiences

Past participants said they appreciate of the intense musical environment of All-State.

"It's enjoyable because you meet lots of other teen-agers that are as passionate about music," said senior Chelsea DuVall, an alto from Capital High School. "You have musical fun."

Olympia High School violist Amanda Course agrees. "I loved the music we played and how well it turned out. It is a really exciting musical experience because you are in a group with people who love to make music for enjoyment, which makes the performance great."

Amy Lee is a senior at Olympia High School.

All-State Gala Concert

- What: Washington's All-State Gala Concert, featuring more than 800 high school musicians (ninth grade and up) in band, orchestra and choir, including about 70 students from South Sound.

- When: 1:30 to 4 p.m. Monday.

- Where: Yakima Sun Dome, 1301 S. Fair Ave., Yakima.

- Cost: Tickets are $12 and may be purchased at the door or with a credit card through Ticketmaster at 206-628-0888 or www.ticketmaster.com.

South Sound's All-State

Here's a look at All-State by the numbers for South Sound. All-State orchestra, band and choir perform Monday afternoon in Yakima. Jazz rehearsals started Wednesday and conclude tonight with a performance for teachers and students to open the convention. More than 70 South Sound students qualified for the musical event, but a few have canceled. Here's a list of area high schools sending students to All-State this weekend.

- Black Hills High School is sending two students to be in the choir.

- Capital High School is sending 14 students, including five to be in the band, six in the choir and three in the orchestra.

- North Thurston High School is sending three students in band, four in choir, one in orchestra and one in jazz band.

- Olympia High School is sending 25 students, including six in band, six in choir and 13 in the orchestra.

- River Ridge High School is sending one student to be in the choir.

- Rochester High School is sending three students to be in the choir.

- Shelton High School is sending one student in band, two in choir and five in jazz choir.

- Timberline High School is sending one student to be in the choir.

- Tumwater High School is sending four students to be in the choir.

- Yelm High School is sending one student to be in the band and one in the choir.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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