Greene County High School students are preparing for some special concerts this week.

Ninth grader Daniele Madsen was chosen for the Opus Honor Choir. She will be singing as an alto 2 and talks about her initial reaction to be selected for the specialized choir ensemble.

“To be honest I was feeling kind of nervous. It was a very surprising opportunity for me. I was just really excited to meet new people, and sing these new songs, and learn more, and well become more experienced in the music department.”

Madsen was also selected as an alto alternate for the Iowa High School Music Association All-State Festival. Five other high school students qualified for this Saturday’s performance at Hilton Coliseum in Ames. Senior Kierstin Purdy is a first-time qualifier for all-state and she describes what that means for her in her final year of high school. 

“Honestly it’s super exciting. Like it’s such a huge honor to have gotten in at all, let alone on my senior year. It’s such a high note to end on. It’s very exciting (and) I’m definitely glad that I made it.”

The other all-state students include Gavin VanderLinden, Brianna Blasnitz, Olivia Hoyt, and Ava Schilling. The Opus Honor Choir performance is tomorrow at Stephens Auditorium in Ames and tickets are $15. The 75th Annual All-State Music Festival takes place Saturday at 7:30pm from Hilton Coliseum at all reserve tickets are $25.