News : Fine Arts night includes gallery, band and choir performances, but not new robes

The annual Vinton-Shellsburg High School Fine Arts Night included performances by the VSHS Symphonic Band, and its Treble Choir, Chamber Choir and Concert Choir. There was also an art gallery set up in the cafeteria, where work by students was on display.

Band Director Nick Waymire and Choir Director Michala Martin presented several awards.

While the program included a page to thank all of the individuals, organizations and businesses in the community who donated to the Choir Robe Fund Drive, the singers still wore the decades-old robes. The new robes, expected to arrive this month, have been placed on back-order status by the manufacture. They should be ready for the 2016-17 choir season.

Band honorees include:

Iowa Bandmaster's Association Award of Merit - Lily Horst Louis Armstrong Jazz Award - Kendra Peterson John Philip Sousa Band Award - Stephen Schmidt Choir award recipients include: Iowa Choral Directors Association Outstanding Senior Choral Award: Abigail Scheel National School Choral Award: Caleb Kruckenberg Here is a list of all choir awards which Ms. Martin presented during the event:

Letters/Bars – Varsity Letters and Pins are awarded each year to students who have gone above and beyond the expectations of being a regular member of the ensemble. Extra points are earned for auditions, honor choirs & honor bands, extra-curricular ensembles, participating in the fall musical & musical theater events for speech, receiving a division 1, 2 or 3 at solo/ensemble contest, performing the national anthem at home sporting events and more. Students, please stand as your name is called, and we ask that you hold your applause until all letter winners in each year category has been announced so every name can be heard.

1st Year Winners in CHOIR

FRESHMEN

Casey Funk

Allissa Hendryx

SOPHOMORES

Baylee Bruce

Chris Salinas

JUNIORS

Travis Booth

Emma Boots

SENIORS

2nd Year Winners in CHOIR

SOPHOMORES

Meredith Glynn

Alicia Morin

JUNIORS

Brittany Grendler

Lindsey Miller

Erica Noe

Owen Sloop

Destiny Swallom

SENIORS

Clay Follmann

Kristen Halstead

Garrett Paustian

Majestic Tiegen-Merrifield

Jayden Tollefson

3rd Year Winners in CHOIR

JUNIORS

Alex Dick

SENIORS

Alyssa Bunge

Hannah Hoepner

Abby Scheel

4th Year Winners in CHOIR

Lily Horst

Caleb Kruckenberg (highest total of 2080 points)

We had many students attend special events this year, and we would like to acknowledge the students who were nominated and selected to Honor Choirs and Honor Bands. They were nominated for their interest in the opportunity and were selected for their outstanding leadership and ability:

Dorian Vocal Festival at Luther College (CERTIFICATE) – Abby Scheel, Alex Dick, Owen Sloop, Alyssa Bunge and Caleb Kruckenberg – Alyssa & Caleb will be receiving additional certificates in honor of their participation in the solo contest, and Caleb’s position as a semi-finalist!

Meistersinger Honor Choir at Wartburg College (CERTIFICATE) – Destiny Swallom, Brittany Grendler, Alex Dick, & Owen Sloop

Central Singfest – Baylee Bruce, Meredith Glynn, Lindsey Miller, Alicia Morin & Chris Salinas

NCACDA – At the beginning of the year, around the time of All-State and OPUS auditions, there was another event anyone could audition for, the North Central Division of American Choral Directors Association conference honor choir. This required a recorded audition to show off vocal range, done, and ability to learn a difficult excerpt from the selected music. Alyssa Bunge was selected as a soprano in the honor choir, and traveled to Sioux Falls in February to take part in this very special and selective event. She will receive a certificate of achievement. Please stand and be recognized.

Solo/Ensemble (PINS) –

At the beginning of April we took a group of students to Grinnell High School where they participated in the state Solo/Ensemble Contest, as soloists and members of ensembles. They can earn division ratings of V-1. A division II rating is considered Excellent while division 1 is considered Superior. Students receiving division Is and IIs will receive pins for their achievements.

Those who received a Div. 2 Rating:

Soloists: Baylee Bruce, Brittany Grendler, Alicia Morin

Ensembles: Destiny Swallom & Alicia Morin, Lindsey Miller & Raynee Kraklio, and the Women’s Ensemble – Katelan Brownell, Alyssa Clark, Blakeley Dlouhy, Charlyn Fowler, Cassie Hazen, Makayla Moeller, Lilliana Pizana, Mady Rule, Megan Scarborough, Sydney Swanson, and Tailynn Tharp

Finally, those who received a Div. 1 Rating:

Soloists: Vocal – Caleb Kruckenberg, Instrumental – Kendra Peterson & Sam Schmidt

Men’s Ensemble – Alex Dick, Casey Funk, Owen Sloop, Collin Henry & Caleb Kruckenberg

Class Officers (PINS) – At this time I would like to recognize a group of people who have provided great leadership for the Choral Department. This group led sectionals, collected folders, and other odd duties like attendance, robe fitting, putting away music, etc. They have been a great group of leaders. They will be receiving a pin in honor of their leadership position:

Section Leaders: Alyssa Bunge, Brittany Grendler, Alex Dick, Owen Sloop

Secretary: Hannah Hoepner & Emma Boots

Vice President: Abby Scheel & Alicia Morin

President: Caleb Kruckenberg & Brittany Grendler

Chamber Choir (PINS) – new members receive Chamber Pins

The VSHS Chamber Choir is the premier vocal ensemble. They rehearse at 6:45am two mornings a week and participate in contests and festivals all year round. They show dedication and commitment to the group, leadership for the entire choral program, and all the responsibilities that go with it. I appreciate them so much for their musicianship and for simply being outstanding members of the choral department. It has become tradition for new members of the ensemble to receive their pin of membership during this awards ceremony:

Baylee Bruce, Casey Funk, Brittany Grendler, Allissa Hendryx, Alicia Morin, Erica Noe, Jayden Tollefson, & Isaac Wiley

ICDA Outstanding Senior Award (CERTIFICATE, MEDAL) – (Abby Scheel)

This award is presented each year to a senior who has demonstrated superior musicianship, outstanding leadership, and personal growth in all aspects of the choral art. The student is presented with a certificate and a medal. This year’s recipient has been one of the most consistent choral students I’ve had the pleasure of teaching. This student is on time to every rehearsal, wears a smile and a positive attitude 99% of the time, and is always willing to help with even the smallest task. This person has shown leadership by running full rehearsals and will be going to school for music education. It is with great honor and respect that I award this year’s ICDA Outstanding Senior Award to Abby Scheel!

National School Choral Award (CERTIFICATE, PIN) – (Caleb Kruckenberg)

Our final award is presented in recognition of singular merit, ability, and achievement, of outstanding contributions to the success of the school vocal program, and of an unusual degree of loyalty, cooperation and high qualities of conduct, by the general consent of the music faculty, school officials, and others. The recipient is presented with a certificate and pin, and their name will be added to the plaque of past recipients in the high school music hallway. This year’s recipient has led rehearsals and has been an outstanding vocalist and reliable member of the choir. Congratulations, Caleb Kruckenberg!

See the video of the concert HERE.

See photos of the band, choirs and art work HERE.