Auditions to make it to the Iowa High School Music Association All-State Music Festival were held in October, and one Adair – Casey / Guthrie Center student is the lone representative for Guthrie County.

Senior Andrew Mahaffey auditioned as a tenor for choir, and earned a call back before finding out he was selected to represent AC/GC at All-State on November 18th. He tells Raccoon Valley Radio that he worked hard the first three years of his high school career to make it, but only ever got as far as a call back performance, and shares the feeling of learning he would be going this year.

“Finally getting that nomination was – magical. And I don’t think I’ll fully understand how awesome everything will be until I set foot in Stevens Auditorium in Ames, Iowa, and just hearing 600 of Iowa’s best voices singing all together.”

With the festival approaching quickly, Mahaffey shares what he’s excited for once he’s there to perform.

“The music selection is fantastic this year, so (I’m) looking forward to that. Looking forward to the concert. Getting to hear not only everybody in the choir, but then everybody, like the band and the orchestra.”

Mahaffey mentions that a tradition of the AC/GC Choir Department for those that make it to All-State is to have a meal at Hickory Park. He and Choir Director Kelsey Dinkla add that part of that tradition is to color the rabbit on the kids menu, and bring it with them to the All-State performance to get it into a picture with the group.