On Halloween Weekend, the Wagner All-State Quartets were preparing with 950+ All-Staters from across the state to perform at the 73rd Annual All-State Chorus and Orchestra Concert. Months of practices and rehearsals all lead to an amazing Concert Performance at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls on Saturday, November 1st. The Choir was conducted by Dr. Jeffrey Redding who brought a ton of energy that got the Choir moving and grooving. The songs for performed with the Orchestra were “The Star-Spangled Banner”, “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” arranged by Peter Wilhousky and the closing number “Until I Reach My Home” arranged by Brandon A. Boyd. The songs performed a capella and/or with piano accompanist Carson Covey from Lennox were “It Takes a Village” by Joan Szymko, “Plaudite, Psallite” by Kestutis Daugirdas, “Measure Me, Sky!” by Elaine Hagenberg, “Fever Dreams” by Erich Eastman and “Let Me Listen” by Dan Forrest.

The 8 singers from Wagner were not only all 1st year All-Staters but were also the youngest group of students that Choir Director, Austin Genzlinger, has ever had in his 11 years at Wagner. Alto Taya Stone was the only singer that wasn’t a Freshmen as the lone Sophomore. The other 7 singers were all Freshmen represented by Sopranos Tegan Langdeaux and Julia Krug, Alto Izzy Myer, Tenors Portlyn and Braelyn Jones and Basses Ethan and Connor Gabel. Austin Genzlinger said “I’ve taught many of these students since they were in Kindergarten and to see how much they have grown over that time has been amazing. They are so fun to teach and the future looks bright for these students and for the High School Choir at Wagner School.”

This group performed the Star-Spangled at the Veteran’s Day Program held at Wagner School on Tuesday, November 11th. This group will also be performing one of their All-State songs at the Winter Concert on Friday, December 19th at 6 PM in the Wagner Community School Theatre. Come check them and all the 5th-12th Grade Band and Chorus students out that Friday!

Back row, from left: Taya Stone, Connor Gabel, Tegan Landeaux, Ethan Gabel, and Portlyn Jones. Front row, from left: Braelyn Jones, Izzy Myer, and Julia Krug. Courtesy Photo.