Incredible Musicians at AHS

Two weeks ago, over teacher convention weekend our Assumption Choir had three outstanding young singers perform with the Wisconsin School Music Association Honors Project. The project is designed to provide musically talented students with the opportunity to rehearse and perform with nationally known conductors in a professional and highly disciplined setting. Last winter three of our singers auditioned for the honors project and ALL THREE WERE ACCEPTED!!!! This is quite an outstanding accomplishment! The students perform a class A solo, go through some challenging vocal exercises and sing some music they have never seen before. They are judged on their voice as well as their technical skills in singing. Representing Assumption Choirs were Chrystal Booher in Treble Choir, Alex Ashbeck in Mixed Choir and Becca Hartley in Middle Level Choir! We are so proud of them and this outstanding accomplishement!!!
More than 1,600 students in grades 9, 10 and 11 auditioned for 429 positions in the WSMA High School State Honors Music Project ensembles which include orchestra, band, jazz band, mixed choir and treble choir. 317 students in grades six, seven and eight were selected from more than 1,250 who auditioned in April 2012 to participate in the WSMA Middle Level Honors Program.
The auditions were held in seven sites across the state this past winter. The treble choir was comprised of 82 outstanding women and the mixed choir was 100 fine young men and women. The middle level choir also had just under 100 young men and women.
Dr. Edith Copely, Professor of Music and Director of Choral Studies at Northern Arizona University, worked with the Treble Choir, Dr. Timothy Stalter, Director of Choral Activities at the University of Iowa, worked with the Mixed Choir and Dr. Jeffrey Redding, Director of Choral Activities at West Virginia State University worked with the Middle Level Choir.
The High School Honors fall concerts followed an intensive four-day summer camp at UW-Green Bay. The WSMA High School Honors Summer Camp is a unique and essential component to the High School Honors Project experience as it is the first opportunity the selected students have to see their music, meet the conductor, and rehearse as a newly formed ensemble. All High School Honors students reconvene in Madison in late October to perform at the annual Wisconsin State Music Conference. The Honors concerts celebrate the remarkable achievements of Wisconsin’s finest young musicians and were open to the public. The choirs performed in Capital Theatre at the Madison Civic Center for a completely packed audience!
The Middle Level Honor Choir is given the music ahead of time and learns the notes before they come together for the first time in October. They have a two day experience preparing the music and performing their concert at the end of the WSMA Convention.
Mrs. Stoffel has also been a part of the WSMA Honor Project as a judge for both middle and high school level auditions, a middle school section coach for three years, a treble choir section coach for three years and a section coach and coordinator for the treble choir for the past two years and having over 25 singers selected to perform in these elite groups over the past 18 years!
We are so proud of all of our incredible musicians!!! Congratulations!!