T
he Oconto Falls High School Choir was proud to have students selected for the prestigious 2017 Wisconsin Choral Directors Association All-State Choir.
Representing Oconto Falls High School in the Men’s Choir were three juniors—Camden Jackson, son of Jeff & Pam Jackson; Hunter Ryczek, son of GinnyDunsworth and Chad Ryczek; and Peter Murphy, son of Candice Behnke and Steven Murphy.
The 120-voice All-State Men’sChoir performed Brightest and Best arranged by Shawn Kirchner, Zion’s Walls by Aaron Coplan, Black is the Color byConnor Koppin, The God Who Gave Us Life by Randall Thompson, and We Rise Again by Leon Dubinsky and Stephen Smith. They gave an exceptional performance at the historic Grand Theater in Wausau to a sold-out audience and received a standing ovation.
The director for the All-State Men’s Choir was Dr. Lee Nelson, Director of Choral Activities at Wartburg College in Iowa. “He treated us like we were his own choir. His knowledge and the skills he showed us were incredibly useful,” commented Camden Jackson. When asked to reflect on their experience, HunterRyczek commented that “It is amazing—the difference in sound when everyone is so passionate about the same thing.” Peter Murphy added that “It feels amazing to be surrounded by the greatest and most talented men in the state.”
The students were nominated by OFHS Choral Director Amy Thiel. They rehearsed on Friday and Saturday, January 6-7, before their final performance as part of the WCDA State Choral Convention.
Jennifer Longsine, daughter of David and Diane Longsine and Lillian Olson, daughter of Gary and Barbara Olson, were also selected to participate in the Women’s All-State Choirs, but were unable to participate in the performance due to illness. The Women’s Choir was directed by Rhonda Vieth Ruelberth, Associate Professor of Music Education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.