Last weekend, the top high school musicians from across the state gathered in Rapid City, for the 71st performance of the South Dakota All-State Chorus and Orchestra performance, held at The Monument.
Wessington Springs’ allstate quartet comprised of Raylee Fagerhaug, Taylor Braun, Will Bruckner and Blake Miller joined over 900 students under the direction of Dr. Ryan Person, professor of music from Morningside University in Sioux City, Iowa.
This year each student was required to audition for their spot in the quartet. Julie Fastnacht, Wessington Springs High School (WSHS) said she is proud of these four students for dedicating many hours to learning challenging literature.
“They represented their high school choral program in a very positive way! The concert was fantastic,” Fastnacht shared. “If you missed the opportunity to watch the concert, it will be aired again on Thanksgiving Day by South Dakota Public Broadcasting (SDPB).”
For the choral program, Person selected “Splendor” from Illuminare by Elaine Hagenberg, followed by an a cappella rendition of “O Salutaris Hostia” by Pierre de la Rue. The chorus also presented Katerina Gimon’s “Fire” and “Moonlight and Rain” by Kevin Memly, before closing with “Papa Loko” by Sten Källman.
At Morningside, Person’s choirs have been recognized and honored for their performance excellence since his arrival in 2018. Person conducts the fifty-member Morningside Choir, which is celebrated across the region for its exceptional choral artistry and programming. The choir tours to continental and international locations each year, including upcoming travel to Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic in 2022. In addition to the Morningside Choir, Person directs the university’s popular tenor/bass chorus, Camerata, and teaches courses in conducting and choral methods.
