Area students included in All-State musical groups

The Minnesota Music Educators Association has selected 564 high school musicians from 171 schools across Minnesota to participate in All-State Bands, Choirs, Jazz Ensemble and Orchestra.

The All-State process began in March when nearly 2,400 students performed live auditions at 22 sites across the state. In addition to the 564 students selected for participation, 118 students were named as alternates.

All-State will begin with a six-day summer camp, Aug. 7-12, at St. Cloud State University (Orchestra), Concordia College (Concert and Symphonic Band and Jazz Ensemble), and Gustavus Adolphus College (Men's, Mixed and Women's choirs). Each of the seven performing groups will be directed by a nationally recognized conductor.

Students at each camp will rehearse more than 30 hours in large group and sectionals during the week. Various enrichment activities also will be offered to the students, some of which have included performances by Moore by Four, the Hornheads and the Blenders, as well as master classes and small group sessions with some of the nearly 50 high school and college music teachers who assist the conductors at camp as sectional coaches.

Each summer camp will culminate with a recording session and a public performance for relatives, friends, community members and teachers. The students also will convene Feb. 16-17, 2001, for more rehearsals and a performance at Orchestra Hall in conjunction with the MMEA Midwinter In-Service Clinic.

The first All-State performance was in 1944, when guest conductor Robert Shaw directed a 1,000-voice choir and a 125-piece orchestra at the annual meeting of the Minnesota Education Association. More than 50 years later, All-State continues to provide a unique, high quality experience for hundreds of high school musicians across the state of Minnesota.

For high school students, selection for All-State is one of the highest musical achievements possible. It is widely considered to be the "state tournament" for high school musicians.

The Minnesota Music Educators Association, with a membership of more than 2,000, is one of the state's largest content education organizations. MMEA represents music educators at all levels and in all areas of music. The mission of MMEA is high quality music education for every student.

Area students selected for All-State include:

Steve Haines, Aitkin High School, Tenor II, Mixed Choir.

Jesse Couch, Bass II, Mixed Choir; Joshua Couch, Bass II, Men's Choir; Andrew Doucette, Bass II, Mixed Choir; Amanda Gibson, Soprano I, Women's Choir; Chris Jabs, Tenor II, Vocal Alternate; Andrew Miller, Bass II, Mixed Choir; and Jessica Scrimshaw, Percussion, Orchestra, all of Brainerd High School.

Benjamin Kile, Bass II, Men's Choir, and Mallory Larson, Soprano I, Mixed Choir, both of Crosby-Ironton High School.

Charles Norman, Piano, Jazz Ensemble, and Alison Swoboda, Flute, Concert Band, both of Little Falls Community High School.

Tiffany Dockham, Alto II, Women's Choir, and Bekkie Rhoades, Soprano II, Mixed Choir, both of Verndale Public Schools.

Todd Anderson, Tenor II, Men's Choir, and Sarah Leverson, Soprano I, Vocal Alternate, both of Wadena-Deer Creek High School.