The 69th All State Chorus and Orchestra performed in Rapid City on Oct. 30 at the brand-new Monument Event Center across the street from Rapid City Central High School.
By its very nature, All State Chorus and Orchestra takes the best of the best of the young music makers in South Dakota and puts them into one great show, but this year was particularly good. You could feel the students' energy and eagerness. The sound in crescendo was both immense and bold, and when the music called for pianissimo, it was quiet and dignified. The raw power of over 1200 of the best music students in South Dakota was on display and they delivered an excellent performance and Garretson musicians did their part well. South Dakota Public Broadcasting did a live broadcast of the even and often Garretson students could be seen front and center on live television.
Abrianna Doppenberg was our orchestral flutist. She played in All-State band last April. All-State is high caliber, but they truly performed well, achieving the quality of a professional symphony orchestra, playing difficult and challenging music by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Samuel Colerige-Taylor, and Igor Stravinsky.
The All-State Chorus was unable to perform last year because of COVID-19 safety protocols. This made the choir hungry, and ready to take a bite out of this music. They had extreme energy, and their directors channeled it well. From classical Latin works to modern rock & roll, the exuberance was outstanding. Every piece brought the audience to their feet with cheers and applause, and it was well earned every time! GHS Choir singers this year were Gabriel “Gabe” Johnson (bass), Drew Pederson (tenor), Morgan Damman (alto) and Morgan Moritz (soprano).
Whatever these Garretson students choose to do in their lives as they grow, we can truly hope that music stays rich in their lives. If you missed the performance, and wanted to catch it, SDPB typically rebroadcasts over the holidays.
