All State Choir 2010

I have recuperated ... sort of. Busy busy week. Jenna's A League swim meet on Friday and Saturday (she swam her 500 in 6:11 !!) followed immediately by Julia's All State Choir experience (Sunday-Tuesday). I was fortunate enough to be able to go and chaperone her during the day. I brought a book to read but instead found myself captivated by their director and enjoyed every second of their practicing.

Their director, Dr. James Stegall, was visiting from Western IL University (professor of music and comedian; he had the kids constantly laughing and learning) . He shared some touching information about the stories behind the music selections to help the students connect with the music and the message/feeling they were to bring across to their audience.

He helped refine their techniques and had them rehearse in a variety of ways to prepare them for the concert. Here are some of my favorite rehearsal moments I caught on video ...

Listen to how Dr. Stegall transforms this choir in just a few seconds with a couple of tips. This is Alleluia from Songs of Faith by Paul Basler (sorry the quality I saved for the web is low and the sound isn't that great for low quality).

The choir singing Alleluia with hands on their cheeks for technique lesson. Their last note sustains for an amazing amount of time. Trust me ... full version is amazing!

Psalm 100. The kids are singing this while lying down. The director is trying to get the kids to read off of each other. During the concert said he would need to direct a small band for this number and he needed the kids to work together on this number.

He has the kids singing Psalm 100 with their eyes closed once again to get their cues from each other and to be very familiar with the accompaniment that will be replaced with trumpets and trombones.

Regina Coeli ... words have been changed to "I am a nerdling"



Regina Coeli ... words changed to "I have a Datsun". Actually it was to be "I have a Doxson" but Julia is not familiar with different dog breeds but knows what a Datsun is. Her Grandpa drives one ... a 1976 Datsun." So this is for you Grandpa ... Julia's choir singing "I have a Datsun" just for you.

Julia is in the second row just left of the middle.

It was an amazing experience for Julia. She was surrounded by the best of the best in the state. Over 2,000 students auditioned. Right around 450 were selected. She was a bit lonely as she was the only one from her high school that made the choir. I had a great time hanging out with her during the few breaks they gave them and to also eat lunch and dinner and attend concerts with her during her 3 days at All State.

Julia is in the middle of the picture

On Tuesday the choirs were able to sing at the State Capital. Their voices echoed off of the marble floors and walls. It was beautiful. Breathtaking ... the camera just doesn't do it justice. I zoom in on Julia at the end. She is standing to the right of the pillar in the middle. The women were on the 2nd floor. The men were on the 3rd floor singing down to the main level.



I probably won't get all of my facts right ... The composer shared the story behind this song with their director (Snowflakes by Lane Johnson). In 2000 (or 2001) the day before Thanksgiving the composer's brother, sister-in-law and their 5 children were in a car accident. The parents were killed. The 5 children survived. Lane Johnson and his wife took in the 5 children (they had 6 children of their own). It was a difficult time for all. After 2 years of mourning and adjusting they finally went through the parents' belongings. They found a book of poems that the mother had. He came across this poem, Snowflakes and felt inspired to put it to music. It described their situation. That even with despair, our Heavenly Father is there and we are blessed to be able to start each day anew ... like a fresh blanket of snow that covers the ground ... that begins with a snowflake. Snowflakes is beautiful and Julia's choir sounded just like his recording on his website.

I can't wait to receive my recording of the concert. Here's to next year Julia! Practice hard and prepare for the next audition for All State 2011