VanWagner, Chappell, and Abram stop for a photo amidst the practice cram over the 3 day rehearsal process. photo courtesy of Sam Chappell
Thomas Jefferson’s choral aptitude is recognized at the state level.
Thomas Jefferson’s choir department sent three seniors, Samuel Chappell, Madeleine Abram, and Nicholas VanWagner to the Colorado All-State Choir convention this year. The concert took place February 2nd in the Buell Theatre. The show sold out every seat in the house, with families from all across the state coming to watch the performance.
The program began with the first round of auditions in October, where students had to show their choral prowess in a variety of ways, such as sight-reading, knowledge of scales, and solo singing. VanWagner commented, “It is the most stressful and intensive audition i’ve ever had to do, but it was totally worth it.” From there, the singers had another round of auditions before rehearsals began on Thursday, January 31st, which tested the students’ knowledge of the given music. The concert was divided into three sections, beginning with Abram and Chappell’s group, the Mixed Choir, followed by the the men’s choir, featuring VanWagner. With just two and a half days of practice with their fellow allstate members, the young artists were ready to perform on Saturday, February 2nd.
This was the second year of All-State choir for Chappell and Abram, as they had both made it into the event their junior year. Sam highlighted his change in expectations, saying, “This year I was not as nervous because I knew what to expect with every moment of the rehearsal, especially the second audition.” Abram also identified some changes in the process, pointing out, “It was fun being in a choir with male voices as well, because last year I was in women’s choir. It added an interesting new dynamic.” These two singers stepped up on the choral pedestal, both managing to make it into the mixed choir this year.
While this will be the last year for these three seniors, TJ will hopefully continue to represent DPS in the state-wide singing ceremony for years to come.
