The 15 senior choir members to be graduating this month were recognized. They are Brina Bergland, Brenna Hagen, Hannah Lewison, Alicia Merritt, Schwierjohann, Dana Jensen, Robyn Lorence, Chelsea Nelson, Olsen, Reese, Simon, Zach Edon, Gage Flatness, Brad Claycomb and Sam Jewett.
The National School Choral Award is the highest honor for high school choral
performers. Fredrickson presented this year’s award to Olsen.
"Kristen has been a pillar within the choir,” said Fredrickson. “Her hard work shines through on a daily basis, especially the extra time she has put in to our select ensemble, Panthera and solo/ensemble contest."
The Outstanding Senior Award is bestowed to the top senior who has shown leadership within the choral family. Fredrickson presented Claycomb with this award.
"Bradley has been an integral part of the choir and always ‘at the ready’ when needed,” Fredrickson said. “He did a nice job playing the lead in our school musical, Bye Bye Birdie. Due to his hard work and positive attitude, as well as the rest of the cast, the musical was a success. Bradley is a wonderful example of a student athlete who embraces the Arts.”
Mark Domeier then announced that Paul Cyr was in the “home stretch” of his career as he was retiring at the close of the school year. The choir sang an adapted version of “It's Hard To Be Humble” by Mac Davis, while Domeier accompanied on the piano.
The next songs showcased senior class members. Lewison, Claycomb and Graham Kyllo performed, "Jackson;" Jensen and Reese sang "Want To;" Hagen sang "The Way You Love Me;" Nelson and Alexis Wyatt performed “Merry Go ‘Round;” Simon and Flatness sang "Livin’ On A Prayer;" and Olsen sang "Breakaway," accompanying herself on the guitar.
The 16 members of the Jazz Ensemble played "Gonna Fly Now," the theme song from Rocky, featuring Liz Eder on tenor sax. T.J. Schiltz played piano for a performance of "Autumn Leaves."
Band director Timothy Siewert presented the Louis Armstrong award, for the outstanding senior in the jazz band, to percussionist Nate Wallin.
The Jazz Ensemble closed out their portion of the concert with "Runaway Baby.”
Next the full Concert Band, 49 members, took stage and opened their portion of the program with "The Magnificent Seven."
Next, the band played "America," from West Side Story, and the Elvis Presley hit “Can't Help Falling In Love.”
Siewert recognized the 11 senior band musicians who would be graduating: Olsen, Liz Eder, Hans Frank, Emmy Hobbs, Maddy Reed, Nicole Kaupa, Noelle Bartness, Zach Edon, Brendon Arnold, Cory Roeker, Schwierjohann and Wallin.
Siewert also thanked Lori Arnold for her years as Band Booster Co-President. Lori mentioned the first day of the seniors’ "Senior High Days" at NRHEG, had also been the first day at NRHEG for Siewert.
Siewert then present the John Philip Sousa Award, for the most outstanding senior in the concert band, to Frank.
The band closed out the evening with the "Harry Potter Suite."
