Two MHS mixed quartets have been selected to join nearly 1,000 voices and a full symphony orchestra at South Dakota’s All-State Chorus and Orchestra... MHS Mixed Quartets Selected for All-State

_dsc0234Two MHS mixed quartets have been selected to join nearly 1,000 voices and a full symphony orchestra at South Dakota’s All-State Chorus and Orchestra on Saturday, October 29. The Sioux Falls Premier Center will serve as the rehearsal and performance venue. The Grand Concert will be broadcast live Saturday October 29 at 7 p.m. on South Dakota Public Television. Dr. Jerry Blackstone of the University of Michigan School of Music and Dr. Ruth Lin from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota, are the guest directors.

Representing Milbank are: Jimmie Berkner, Abby Weber, Taylor Thue, Alaina Rausch, Landon Brown, Chase Pinkert, Ben Harstad, and Shawn Stemsrud. Alternates include: Elisabeth Schwenn, Lindsey Geyer, Hailey Underwood, Kassidy Wellnitz, Brandon Hansen, and Nathan Loutsch. MHS chorus director Miriam Schwenn will accompany the students.

“Milbank is allowed to take two mixed quartets to the event based on high school enrollment,” Schwenn explained. “A local or area musician is hired each year to serve as an audition adjudicator who selects two representatives and an alternate for each voice part.”
The first South Dakota All-State Chorus and Orchestra event was held in Huron in 1953. Schwenn has taken MHS students to the event each year since she began her teaching career 23 years ago.

All-State musicians from MHS include: Nathan Loutsch, Shawn Stemsrud, Chase Pinkert, Landon Brown and Brandon Hanson. Front row: Lindsey Geyer, Elisabeth Schwenn, Abby Weber, Jimmie Berkner, Alaina Rausch, Taylor Thue, Hailey Underwood, and Kassidy Wellnitz.

Staff Writer

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