All-state choir singers take center stage at “The Buell”
They’re back to belting it out at “The Buell.”
On Saturday evening, all-state choir singers from across the state of Colorado assembled to put on a stunning performance in The Buell Theater at the Denver Performing Arts Center. As ever, the event was an impressive and entertaining display of artistry and harmony.
Following a year in which the event was cancelled because of the global pandemic, however, this year’s collaborative concert resonated more deeply than ever with all who were involved.
Last year, Colorado All State Choir was unable to hold in-person auditions because of the global pandemic and there was no all-state performance. This year, the program returned to action with a renewed vigor.
To qualify as an all-state choir singer, juniors and seniors begin learning the scheduled music on their own over the summer and register to compete for all-state in September. Close to 2,000 singers began that process this year and auditioned in October, and eventually 547 of them qualified for all-state choir. Once those singers reach the festival in Denver, they compete to decide who will be soloists among the three performing groups – mixed choir, tenor-bass choir and treble choir.
“It’s just a different level of maturity and a different level of talent that everyone has, which is really awesome and cool,” said Jacob Thomas, a senior at the Denver School of the Arts. “I’ve met a few people that are really cool and it’s been a really awesome experience to be able to sing with such a talented and amazing group of singers and conductors. To sing with a group of people who are equally enthusiastic and working together is a really cool experience.
“I mean, it was my first time singing in ‘The Buell.’ How many people can say they did that?”
Thomas, a soloist in the tenor-bass choir performance of “Glory” from the movie “Selma,” was one of a talented group of soloists including Ripley Coope (Rock Canyon), Victoria Peterson (Eaglecrest), Elijah Brandt (Fort Collins), William Hnatik (Eaglecrest), Mercer Stauch (Niwot), Emily Welker (Vista Ridge), Madison Manning (Overland), Cole Russell (Doherty), Camden Sharkey (Liberty), Aidan Flaugh (Littleton), Mark Gomez (Arts Academy of Pueblo County), Caiden Lane (Fossil Ridge), Ibrahim Souare (Overland), Deanne Akouoko (Overland), Emme Rieger (Longmont), and others.
“It’s a very professional environment and it’s really fun to be around people who love what you love and work just as hard as you,” Peterson said. “We didn’t have the opportunity last year, so everyone is really excited to work together and it’s really welcoming. Just the feeling of singing together is an overwhelming sensation to be in the presence of all these absurdly-talented people.”
All of the all-state choir singers also had the pleasure of rehearing and performing with renowned conductors Dr. William C. Powell (Auburn University), Tesfa Wondemagegnehu (St. Olaf College) and Dr. Rosephanye Dunn Powell (Auburn University).
“All-state choir is an amazing experience for all of the students involved,” said Rashaan Davis, CHSAA assistant commissioner. “Being able to bring together over 500 of the most talented student voices from across Colorado is a testament to the work the Colorado Music Educators Association continues to do. As CHSAA and the CMEA work together, I look forward to continuing to create opportunities for Colorado students to participate in activities that promote our vision and core values.
“I hope that we can continue to promote the values in a way that shines a light on the diversity of participation and the collaborative networks we continue to build.”
