Two high schools in Dallas County are sending multiple students to audition for the Iowa High School Music Association All-State Festival.

Perry High School Choir Director Jenn Nelson tells Raccoon Valley Radio two students are auditioning including senior Candace Hoisington and junior Alexa Nelson. Jenn says Alexa is trying out as a soprano and this is her second year, while Hoisington is auditioning as an alto and it is her first and only year. Band Director Blaine Schmidt adds that sophomore Olivia Christensen is going tomorrow and trying out on oboe. She was selected as an alternate last year.

Adel-DeSoto-Minburn High School Choir Director Becca Cassel says there are 15 students who are auditioning for all-state tomorrow, including four seniors, three juniors, and eight sophomores, all of which are trying out for the first time. Band Director Russ Braun says six band students are auditioning as well. He talks about the incredible work ethic this group of kids have put in to prepare for tomorrow.

“So these students have spent countless, countless hours refining their playing skills and really I think the whole process – I know it’s incredibly scary and puts them really through their paces – but in the end, the biggest part about this whole process is growing as musicians. And so they understand that and they can definitely see their hard work and dedication pay off.” 

Both Perry and ADM are traveling to Atlantic High School tomorrow. The announcement of who made it to the All-State Festival in November will be released on Monday.

ADM Choir students:

Seniors are Hunter Hughes (tenor), Pierson Lee (tenor), Michael Vandermark (bass), Jacob Reisetter (bass); Juniors are Bianca Fuquey (alto), Autumn Hupp (soprano) and Reagan McCarty (alto); Sophomores are Braedon Anderson (bass), Balin Hysell (tenor), Riley Milburn (bass), Hallie Pratt (alto), Reyna Shirley-Brown (alto), Kennedy Stanford (soprano), Tate Truitt (tenor), and Megan Weiland (soprano).