Arin McMullin (clarinet, band), Lorna Bauer (alto, choir), Cole Denner (tenor, choir), and Olivia Palen (cello, orchestra) have attained the highest individual honor available to Iowa high school musicians by being selected as a member of the 2021 Iowa All-State Festival. This is the first time since 2013 that a student from all three OHS music departments was selected for the festival in the same year.
The 2021 Festival will celebrate the 75th anniversary of this prestigious event. Each ensemble will premiere a brand new piece that was commissioned for this special occasion. Also, all three ensembles will perform together for "America The Beautiful" and "Battle Hymn of the Republic."
District auditions for the 278 piece All-State Band, 214 piece All-State Orchestra and 602 member All-State Chorus were held Saturday, October 23 in Washington. Approximately 17% of the students who audition are selected for membership. Participants will rehearse in Ames on Friday and Saturday, November 19 and 20. The concert will be presented to the public November 20 at 7:30 p.m. in Hilton Coliseum, Iowa State University, Ames. Iowa Public Television will record the concert for re-broadcast. Please check the IPTV website (www.iptv.org) for the exact dates and times. This program is under the auspices of the Iowa High School Music Association and the Iowa Music Educators Association.