Milbank Violinists Perform with All-State Orchestra

Violinists Lydia Jay, Kelsey Wipf, Leticia Stahl, and Annette Tschetter performed with the South Dakota Music Educators Association’s Middle School All-State Orchestra at the Mitchell Performing Arts Center on Saturday, February 22. The musicians are instructed by Elizabeth Schulte, director of Whetstone Valley Strings in Milbank.  

Lydia, an eighth grader, was principal 2nd violin. Kelsey, a seventh grader, was assistant principal. These two leadership positions were awarded to the third and fourth- highest scoring violin auditions in the state. Leticia and Annette,both sixth graders, were selected as fifth and 10th chair, respectively. 

Lydia is the daughter of Anthony and Allison Jay.  Kelsey is the daughter of Derek and Serena Wipf. Leticia’s parents are Lenny and Martha Stahl, and Annette’s parents are Ryan and Elaine Tschetter. The 86-member orchestra was selected from 185 video auditions submitted from 29 schools across the state.

Dr. Peter Foliiard, the Dean of the Augustana School of Music, served as this year’s guest conductor. Students rehearsed for six hours on Friday, including a sectional led by Mrs. Schulte. They also prepared for approximately four hours on Saturday before the concert.  

The orchestra performed Rossini’s “William Tell Overture,” “Farandole” by Bizet, “Celtic Overture” by Niehaus, a Bach Chorale arranged by the conductor, “The Beatles Forever” arranged by Larry Moore and performed with a digital soundtrack developed by Dr. Foliiard, and “American Landscape” by Soon Hee Newbold as a side-by-side finale with the J. Laiten Weed High School Honors Orchestra. 

Submitted Photo: left to right, Kelsey Wipf, Leticia Stahl, Elizabeth Schulte, instructor, Lydia Jay and Annette Tschetter.