The audition process may have been different, but North Scott’s music program didn’t let COVID-19 keep its students from shining bright on the statewide stage.
Fifteen North Scott singers, the exact same number as a year ago, were named to the 600-voice All-State Chorus, and included in that group were seniors Alex Johnson and Owen Popelka, both who can now call themselves three-time all-state vocalists.
Junior Savannah Connor matched that achievement by being named to the All-State Orchestra for the second year, after being named to the All-State Band as a freshman, and senior Nolan Blodig is now a two-time member of the honor band.
And, for the first time in school history, a member of North Scott’s orchestra program earned elite status thanks to the efforts of junior Aviana Holst.
This year’s auditions were held virtually, with students having to send in their videotaped entries, and unfortunately, there was no All-State Musical Festival at the end of the process.
Still, North Scott singers and instrumentalists took to spots among the “Best of the Best.” The 18 All-Staters is the third highest in school history, behind the 23 musicians honored in 2018 and the 22 who earned All-State honors in 2017.
Owen Popelka — Tenor
Owen Popelka still remembers Mr. Paul Skyles walking into his sixth-grade classroom at Alan Shepard Elementary, and telling the group he was starting an elementary school choir.
The idea definitely intrigued Owen, simply because it’s something he’d never considered doing. Now, six years later, the North Scott senior is a three-time member of the All-State Chorus.
“When I joined that elementary choir, that’s when I decided I really liked music,” said Owen, the son of Wendy Davies-Popelka and Brian Popelka. “I just learned to love it so much.
“Music is just something that even if I’m stressed or missing assignments, or I have something bothering me, it gives me a place to direct my energy, good or bad.”
With this year’s revamped audition process, Owen thinks he expended more energy and put more work in than in past years.
“This year was actually a lot harder, because we had to audition by ourselves,” he said. “In the past, you would get really excited to find out about your quartets and who you’re going to sing with. This year, without that, obviously I still love to sing, but it was hard to build up that excitement for practicing and music.
“I think I practiced as much as I had in the past, but it took a little more effort to get me going.”
Owen felt OK about his audition, but admitted that again, the excitement just wasn’t there.
“Ordinarily you have that little bit of a rush when you’re auditioning in front of a judge,” he said. “It gives you that energy to make the performance exciting. When it’s just me and Ms. Potts, singing into the camera, it’s a little bit harder to be excited.”
Owen took nothing for granted. Even though he was a member of the All-State Chorus as both a sophomore and junior, he knew that nothing was guaranteed.
“Every year you think about every little aspect of your audition that you might have done wrong,” he said. “When it’s just you, you think about it even more, because you are really exposed.
“I was nervous about getting the results. I got a notification for the email, and I was nervous to open the email. I didn’t want to click on it. There are people that were like, ‘Yeah, it’s your third year,’ but it’s not always guaranteed. Every year is another challenge. I never thought it would be easy, and when I saw my name it was a big sigh of relief.”
Owen is proud to be a three-time All-Stater.
“Being an All-Stater had always been one of my goals, and to make it three times is really cool,” he said. “The best part is that Alex (Johnson) is one of my friends, and for us both to make it three times, that’s really, really cool.”
Owen loves music so much that his future plans including being a choir director and teaching others to see music the way that he does.
Savannah Connor — Bassoon
The dream lives on for Savannah Connor.
After being named an All-Stater the last two years, the junior bassoonist is now in line to become possibly the first North Scott band student to be chosen for elite status four years in a row.
Savannah was chosen for the All-State Band as a freshman, and now is a member of the orchestra for a second time. Wind instrumentalists audition with the band, and the top one is chosen to be a member of the orchestra.
“North Scott’s band hasn’t had a four-time all-stater for a very long time, if at all,” she said. “I would really, really love to be the first. I put a lot of time and effort into my playing, and I’m very passionate about it.
“I really wanted to be a four-timer because it would showcase how much time I put into it over the years. It’s been a goal of mine since I was in eighth grade.”
Savannah said her audition was nerve-wracking, and that she preferred the in-person process better.
“I would much rather be able to go in and play and be done,” she said. “With the recording, I knew I could do it over and over again as many times as I wanted, and I felt like I had to make it super, super, super perfect.”
Band students had to play two etudes, a solo, the chromatic scale, and then all of the major scales straight through.
“Normally, they give you two random scales, and you choose one,” said Savannah. “This year you had to play all 12 without stopping.”
Savannah was nervous about learning the results.
“I was sitting in my kitchen with my mom, and we had been checking the page every once in a while,” she said. “We knew it was coming out, and I was very anxious. When I saw my name, I was really relieved and really happy. It took a lot of stress off my shoulders.”
Savannah has loved music ever since her mom, Valerie, started her in piano lessons when she was young. She fell in love with the bassoon after hearing a guest bassoonist play at a Quad City Youth Symphony concert. She started taking lessons in seventh grade.
She also said COVID-19 has made playing a wind instrument challenging this year.
“It’s been tricky dealing with Covid,” she said. “It’s been really sad seeing a lot of the opportunities I was looking forward to as a junior just slip away, especially since wind playing has been really hard.
“We have performance masks with a little slit in them, but since I have a double reed, I can’t do that without breaking my reed. So, I just pull my mask down, and we just sit far apart and are in smaller groups. I’m looking forward to getting back to normal.”
Hopefully, normal will mean a fourth trip to the All-State Music Festival next year.
Alex Johnson — Tenor
Alex Johnson was confident. Perhaps that’s expected from a singer who is a two-time member of the All-State Choir. In a way, the third time was a mere formality.
“I wouldn’t say I felt pressure to make it again,” said Alex, the son of Jay and Kate Johnson. “I was fairly confident going in to do my audition video, and (Mrs.) Potts gave me even more confidence.
“Now, it’s really exciting to be able to make it three times, and not a lot of North Scott singers can say that. I’m really proud, and it’s a testament to what Mrs. Potts has put into this program, and the same with Mr. Skyles.”
Alex said it wasn’t difficult shifting gears and preparing a video audition as opposed to singing with quartets in the past.
“Covid has made it very tough to come in and practice singing,” he said. “You can’t use the practice rooms, and you have to be spread out. It’s weird to not hear the other parts you have to be able to blend with.
“It was strange not doing it in front of a judge,” said Alex, who also plays soccer, basketball and baseball, “but I was able to adjust, and me and my classmates ended up doing very well. I don’t know if I’d say it was more work, but it definitely took some getting used to.”
There was still that rush of excitement knowing he’d made the cut.
“I was in Des Moines visiting my cousins, and I really wasn’t expecting to hear the results that night,” he said. “I was more nervous for my classmates to see which ones made it. Like I said, I was pretty confident, but I was still excited when I saw my name.
“To be able to say I’m a three-time all-stater is really special, and I’m really happy that I can say that.”
Alex said he also misses the opportunity to sing with the entire All-State Choir.
“That part is very disappointing,” he said. “For me, that was the best part about making All-State. At least getting to audition and being selected is better than nothing.”
Alex is looking forward to college, and plans on majoring in one of the sciences, perhaps kinesiology or epidemiology.
Nolan Blodig — Baritone Saxophone
Being named to the All-State Band is quite an accomplishment. Doing it twice, now that’s a whole different level.
Without a doubt, senior Nolan Blodig is in elite company, especially after being named an alternate his sophomore year.
Nolan knows the ropes; he’s been to Ames for the All State Music Festival, and he doesn’t mince words with describing his feelings about being unable to go.
“I feel good about making All State,” he said, “but it kind of sucks there’s no festival. Still, you get recognized, but the best part of the process was the concert.”
Nolan said his audition was unlike any previous one, but called it “interesting.”
“Since we had to record all the major scales, instead of just two, there was more stuff to learn,” he said. “However, you could have as many takes as you wanted. I have a recording set-up at my house, so I just did it there. I had a lot of takes, but I didn’t keep count.
“I started preparing two months before the audition, and it was way easier because I knew that if I missed up it wouldn’t be a big deal. In the past, if you messed up in front of a judge, that was your only chance.”
Nolan said that being a repeat All-Stater is a good way to wind up his North Scott career.
“Being chosen again means you’ve put in a lot of work, with a lot of effort and dedication,” he said. “It had always been a goal to make it once, and then once I made it my junior year, I figured why not go for it again?”
Nolan is the son of Ryan and Christie Blodig. He attended Alan Shepard Elementary, and he’s following in his dad’s footsteps. Ryan, a North Scott grad, was also an all-state musician.
Nolan hasn’t decided what he will study in college, but he’s considering history or possibly music education.
Abi Jensen – Soprano
Abi Jensen knows the sting of disappointment. She’s been to the top of the All-State mountain, and then been denied. But in her final opportunity, the senior has made a triumphant return.
Abi was one of the fortunate few to have been named to the All-State Choir as a freshman, and she never dreamed it would be three years before she’d repeat the experience.
“I got bronchitis my sophomore year, and that was really tough to take,” said Abi. “Last year, I’d already been through the disappointment of not making it, so it wasn’t so bad. Still, it was a really big bummer. I was really nervous this year.
“I felt like there was a lot more riding on my audition since it was my last year. I had no idea what to expect because of the pandemic, or what the results would be like, or how competitive it would be. It was definitely nerve-wracking.”
Abi attacked the unique video audition process with her usual vigor, and participated in morning and afternoon rehearsals, along with individual sessions with choir director Lori Potts.
“I was pretty nervous going into the audition, but I was also very confident,” she said. “I knew I had put in the work, and that it would show in my audition.”
All that work paid off, and getting the news of being accepted was a dream come true.
“I was in my living room, and my mom saw the email that Mrs. Potts had sent out to all of us,” said Abi. “She yelled, ‘Abi made all-state!’ That was pretty cool and exciting.
“Being selected a second time is a reflection of all the hard work and dedication I’ve put into choir and music,” she said.
And that hard work will obviously continue. The daughter of Vielata and Isaac Jensen, she plans to major in music education at St. Ambrose University.
Cooper Frank — Bass
It’s hard to imagine a better start to a senior year than the one being enjoyed by Cooper Frank
Does life get any better than being the starting linebacker on a state championship football team, and also being selected as a two-time member of the All-State Choir?
Talk about being multi-talented.
“This fall has been amazing,” said Cooper. “I’m really thankful for all the opportunities I’ve had, given the pandemic that’s going on. Coaches, teachers and everybody have been so supportive the whole time. It’s been a pretty awesome senior year so far.”
While spending countless hours on the football field and in the film room, Cooper also found time to perfect his audition for the All-State Choir.
“I felt like this year’s audition was less stressful, just because we had more time to prepare for it,” said Cooper, the son of Joe and Kelli Frank. “It was just me and Mrs. Potts helping me through it. I got some pointers from her, and it was pretty smooth sailing.”
Despite feeling good about his audition, Cooper was still nervous while waiting for the results.
“I really wasn’t expecting the email so soon,” he said. “I was pretty nervous to open it up, not just for me. I had a couple of friends that also auditioned, and I was hoping they were going to make it. I was more worried about them.
“I felt pretty special when I saw my name. I was glad that I was chosen to represent North Scott again. It was a pretty cool feeling, and I was just really excited.”
The only downside to the whole experience is not being able to sing with the All-State Choir.
“After making it last year, it was something I knew I wanted to do again,” he said. “It was really cool to be part of a choir with some of the best singers in the state, as well as represent my high school at the all-state level.
“I’m pretty sad about not having that experience again. Singing with 600 of the best voices from across the state is pretty unbelievable.”
Kyle Skinner — Tenor
It appears that Kyle Skinner has aced the humility test. As a result, he can now revel in the glow of being a two-time member of the All-State Chorus.
Kyle, the son of Leslie and Kerry Skinner, was chosen to the elite group as a sophomore, and had every intention of making a return trip. He just didn’t think it would take two years.
“It feels pretty good being a two-time all-stater, and I’m glad I was able to come back and make it. It was a little tough not making it last year, but it was a good exercise in staying humble, and realizing there are two outcomes.
“Once you make it the first time, you still have to put in the same amount of work to make it the next time. Good or bad, I didn’t feel any pressure. Since I didn’t make it last year, the pressure was kind of gone because I already had both outcomes.”
Kyle also liked the different audition process.
“It was just us,” he said. “There was no quartet and nothing to hide behind. That was good. If you really buckle down and learn the music, your voice can really shine in the audition.”
All that work paid off, but seeing the results brought a mixed bag of emotions.
“I was pretty excited when I saw my name, but I also felt kind of bad because I didn’t see my brother Andrew’s name. But, he has two more years, and I’m confident he’ll get there.”
Kyle’s hoping that Andrew can someday have the same experience he enjoyed two years ago.
“It was a lot of fun going to the concert as a sophomore, so it’s kind of disappointing to miss out on some of those exciting times,” he said. “But the positive is that we don’t have to miss school, especially my senior year. I have a lot of college classes, and it’s tough when you miss them.”
Kyle will be attending Iowa State University next year, and plans on majoring in cyber security engineering. Still, he’s grateful for the opportunity to be involved in music.
“Music is really important to me, from singing to playing guitar to playing drums,” he said. “I’m doing those things all the time, and I play music at my church every week. Music is a big part of my life.”
Lily Bendickson — Soprano
Lily Bendickson didn’t feel the pressure. Even though she’d been a member of the All-State Choir as a junior, she wasn’t nervous heading into her solo audition.
“It was a weird audition process,” said Lily. “I loved auditioning in quartets in the past, so it was disappointing not to be able to do that. This year, you had to hold yourself accountable, because it was all individual, and that was good for some people because they really stepped up. It was really strange.
“I really felt there was less pressure because you weren’t able to bring anybody else down. Everything you did was only on you, and that you weren’t going to hurt anyone else’s chances.”
At the end of the day, everything worked out perfectly, and Lily can now call herself a two-time all-stater.
“It’s kind of awesome to be selected a second time,” she said. “I really like the feeling. It was cool to make it as a junior, and have the possibility to make it as a senior, and then live up to the expectation that I had for myself.
“Making it a second time also shows that I worked hard and it paid off more than once. I didn’t just get it and give up, but I got it and worked even harder to get it again.”
Despite having been through the whole process before, Lily was still anxious about the results.
“I was nervous to get the email,” she said. “I was at a friend’s house, and my best friend, Elena Kook, was also there. She auditioned as well, and we found out at the exact same time. That part was really exciting.
“Elena was on the couch, and she opened her phone and said, ‘Lily, the all-state email is sent.’ Immediately I got so nervous. Then she screamed and said, ‘We both made it!’ She came and jumped on me and it was very exciting. I was so glad that she made it, and it would’ve been bad if one made it and one didn’t. We didn’t have to deal with that.”
Lily, the daughter of Troy and Tammi Bendickson, plans to attend college in Arkansas, where she will major in elementary education with a minor in Bible studies or possibly something music-related.
“Music is one of my favorite activities to do,” she said. “It’s something I’m talented at, and I enjoy being good at something.”
Kaitlyn Wood — Alto
The honors just continue to roll in for junior Kaitlyn Wood, and to say the least, it’s been quite a fall. Being named a member of the All-State Choir for the second time is the coup de grace.
Earlier, she was chosen to play in a string quartet that shared the stage for a touring show that featured music by The Beatles and Rolling Stones. She also qualified for a national singing competition next spring sponsored by the National Association of Teachers of Singing.
Now this.
“It’s such a big honor to make all-state again, in addition to everything else I’ve accomplished this year,” said Kaitlyn, the daughter of Brian and Ami Wood. “With all the Covid issues we’ve had to deal with, this kind of stuff really helps. I’ve had a good fall, for sure.”
Kaitlyn enjoyed last year’s process, and working with a quartet. She missed bonding with her fellow singers, and the opportunity to bounce ideas off each other.
“This year I had to sit down and do a lot of work myself,” she said. “I felt like it was difficult sometimes, just because you were by yourself. I also felt pressure to be a leader in the alto section.
“It was a small section, with half freshmen girls, and I was the only one who had made all-state before. There was pressure to be their leader and move them along, but they were really fun to be with.”
Kaitlyn also missed not being part of the actual all-state concert.
“The festival is so much fun and incredible,” she said. “I play viola, and I love to listen to the orchestra. I’ll miss that. It’s just a nice reward for all the hard work, and then we get to see this incredible product where all the all-staters get to come together and sing in this massive choir.
“Being a two-time all-stater is a big honor. It means you’ve put in the work. You’ve come back and done all the stuff, despite all the circumstances. It’s just a big accomplishment.”
Aviana Holst — Cello
Aviana Holst is a trailblazer.
While other North Scott students have been members of the All State Orchestra, via auditioning with the band, she is the first Lancer student to earn elite status for playing a string instrument.
“It was really exciting because I’m the first one from the orchestra program at North Scott to get in,” she said “It’s just really amazing that I was selected.”
Aviana, a junior, was homeschooled in elementary school, and began her instrumental journey by playing violin in the junior high orchestra. It wasn’t long before she made the switch to cello.
“After one year, I was like, ‘Wait, this isn’t for me. I need to play cello.’ I’m so glad I did, and I haven’t looked back. The sound of the cello is amazing, and so is the repertoire.”
Like all other aspiring all-staters, Aviana had to record an audition video, and it took an entire evening.
“I had my phone set up and recorded each of the parts. It took me a few hours,” she said. “We had to play excerpts from symphonies, and then all of the major scales and a solo. It was about eight minutes long, and I was very nervous.”
Aviana studies privately with Scott Sund and Hannah Holman. She is the daughter of Kevin and Jessica Holst. Music is a big part of her life.
“Music has so much emotional power,” she said, “and I think we can express things that we can’t express in words. I want to continue with music after high school. I would like to study cello performance in college and go from there. I would like to play in a symphony someday.”
George Behnke — Bass
George Behnke has bragging rights over his older sisters. On his third and final try, the senior was selected for the All-State Choir.
George went through the audition process as a percussionist for the band as a freshman, and last year he tried out for the choir, with no success.
“I was disappointed not to make it last year, but I realized I probably should have started earlier,” said George, the son of Christine Boggus and Lawrence Behnke. “I really wanted to make it, and didn’t, but it still helped me get a lot better.
“I definitely put a lot more into it this year, and I think I’ve really improved a lot. I felt good about my audition.”
George is a big fan of the “solo” audition process.
“In my opinion, it’s a better way,” he said. “Being able to be responsible to sing just your own part is really good for learning the music well.”
George was at home when he learned the news. He got a text from his sister, asking if he’d made it, so he checked his email.
“I was nervous to open it,” he said, “although I had high pretty high hopes that I would make it. When I saw my name, I was just so relieved that all the work I had put in was worth something.
“Music is my life, and I don’t do much else. It’s a family thing, and now I have one up on my sisters. I’ve wanted to be an all-stater, and having my picture on the high school wall is pretty cool. Being selected means that you’ve taken that extra step to show that you really can put forth the effort to become a better musician.”
Jacob Bibens — Bass
Finally, mission accomplished.
For three years, senior Jacob Bibens has strived to become a member of the All-State Choir. Now, in his final try, he is standing tall among the best of the best.
“This is something I’ve been working towards for a long time,” said Bibens, the son of Keith and Michelle Bibens. “Ever since junior high, Paul Skyles has kind of made me like to sing, and so did Lori Potts. It’s always been a goal of mine to become an all-stater, and I was disappointed to not make it in the past. Now, it feels great.”
Jacob is also a singer who liked the Covid-altered audition process.
“I felt really great about the audition, even though I was a little nervous,” he said. “It went really well. I thought not singing in a group was better, because with a group it’s easier to mess up your timing.”
Jacob was just finishing his shift at Hy-Vee when he received the selection email. He was nervous, but couldn’t wait to see the results.
“I opened it up right away,” he said. “I was walking with my co-worker, and when I saw my name I felt very relieved to finally make it. I was pretty excited. This is a pretty cool way to put a cap on my high school experience.”
Jacob plans to attend Iowa State University and study chemical engineering.
Elena Kook — Soprano
The fourth time was the charm for Elena Kook, and the icing on the cake was being named a member of the All-State Choir with her best friend.
Life can’t get much better.
“I’ve been waiting for this my whole life, ever since I realized it was a thing back in seventh grade, when my sister graduated (Isabel) graduated. She tried out and made it her senior year, too.
Elena has been involved in the all-state process all four years of high school, and auditioned the last three. While the 2020 Covid-induced selection method was different, Elena saw both pros and cons.
“It was very much more about personal practice, and you didn’t get the experience of working in a group, which I’ve always enjoyed,” said Elena, the daughter of Tom and Sara Kook. “I’ve always enjoyed bonding with the quartets I’ve been in.
“However, it was nice not to have to worry about scheduling things with a group, and it was nice to be able to sit and focus on yourself, and what you needed to do better. I think I grew more as a musician through this process.
With that said, she also felt more pressure.
“It was hard because you had as many takes as you wanted, so I felt a lot of pressure to get it perfect,” she said. “That was a bit stressful, but I was happy with what I turned in.”
She was also thrilled to be with her best friend, Lily Bendickson, when she received the good news.
“We were at a friend’s house, and I was on my phone,” said Elena. “I have a really bad habit of checking my email all the time. I opened it up, and there was nothing. I closed it up, and three seconds later, out of habit, I opened up my email again, and it was there.
“My heart lurched a little bit. Actually, Lily and I were the first two names on the list, so we could see both of our names in the email preview. I actually knew right away. I screamed. It was so exciting, and I’m so glad that we both made it. If only one of us had made it, it would have been horrible.”
Elena is disappointed that she didn’t have the opportunity to sing with the 600-voice All-State Chorus, simply because it’s the moment that everybody talks about.
“It’s a super bummer that I don’t get to experience that, but my picture’s still going to be on the wall at the high school, and I’ll get my medal.”
Elena plans to study nursing in college, and also wants to be part of a choir.
“It’s going to be so sad after college, because I take for granted what singing in a choir feels like. When I’m not in a choir anymore, there’s going to be something missing. Music is so important to me.”
Kendall Deutmeyer — Soprano
COVID-19 has been tough on a lot of people, and students are no exception. Having school shut down was a hardship, but junior Kendall Deutmeyer made the best of a bad situation.
As a result, she’s now a member of the All-State Choir.
“When we couldn’t go to school, I just lived for music,” said Kendall. “That was a time where I put a lot of work into it, and I think I gained a lot of confidence. I’ve learned to trust myself through the process, and the journey has been influential to me as a person. Being an all-stater means all that hard work has paid off.”
Kendall, the daughter of Cory and Gretchen Deutmeyer, began taking piano lessons when she was a little girl, and then joined band in seventh grade, and choir as an eighth-grader.
“I’ve just loved it ever since,” she said, “and being chosen for all state has been my goal since joining choir. I just knew I wanted to put my work into it.”
Kendall tried out last year, but wasn’t one of the 28 North Scott students chosen to go through the full audition process.
“I had kind of a confidence issue last year, and I worked really hard to build that up this year,” she said. “I felt really good about my audition. I really enjoyed every step of it.
“I went in prepared. I knew I was going to do the best I could do, and I came out knowing I did my best.”
Like many of her classmates, she was nervous about getting the results.
“I was at home watching Gilmore Girls,” she said. “I was expecting the email, and when I saw the notification, I kind of felt it in my stomach. I went in the other room, and it was like, ‘OK, no matter what, here it is.’ When I saw my name, I just stood there. I was like, ‘Wow, I really did it.’”
Kendall is also involved in band, jazz band, Lancer Productions, National Honor Society and golf. But music is her favorite.
“I was so proud of myself, and it really proved to me that hard work can pay off,” she said. “I’m absolutely looking forward to next year.”
Cora O’Neill — Soprano
Seventh-grade choir is a required course at North Scott Junior High, and when Cora O’Neill walked into class on the first day of school, she had no idea what she was getting into.
Now, three years later, she’s sitting at the pinnacle of the high school music world.
“Being an all-state singer feels awesome,” said Cora, the daughter of Dennis and Theresa O’Neill. “Looking back, a year ago, I never would have thought I’d be an all-stater. It just shows how hard work can pay off, and to never give up on what you want to do. That was my goal for this year.”
Cora found out that she really like choir in seventh grade, and now it’s a big part of her life. She didn’t participate in the all-state process as a freshman a year ago, but only because she wasn’t sure what to expect.
“This year I wanted to do it because I saw the experience that other people had with it auditioning and being selected, and it became a goal,” she said.
Although the audition process was unlike any other year, it’s the only method she knows. She had sent in an audiotape while auditioning for Opus as an eighth-grader, but the video requirement this year caused a little angst.
“I was nervous for the audition,” said Cora, “but I felt good about it. I thought it went really well.”
She was also anxious about getting the results.
“Mrs. Potts sent out an email to all the people who auditioned, and it was a selection list,” said Cora. “I was at home, and I was constantly checking my email. When it came, I was nervous to open it, but I was like, ‘I’m just going to do it.’ I saw my name, and I was shocked. It was very exciting.”
Cora, who is also a member of the varsity girls’ basketball team, appreciates what music brings to her life.
“It’s something that I really enjoy, and it brings happiness to me, especially this year, with Covid,” she said. “It helped bring a little bit of normality to everything that’s been going on, and it means a lot to me.”
Peter LaCorte — Tenor
A year can make a world of difference, and sophomore Peter LaCorte made the most of his second opportunity to be named to the All-State Chorus.
After unsuccessfully auditioning as a freshman, LaCorte channeled this year’s unique audition process into a positive experience.
“I was disappointed that I didn’t make it last year, but it didn’t make me not want to try out this year,” he said. “I was 100-percent excited to go through the process, and I think I put in a lot more effort this year. My voice also matured, which made it easier to keep going.”
LaCorte, the son of Leslie LaCorte and Daniel LaCorte, said he felt prepared for his audition, and that there was less pressure than being in person in front of a judge.
“When you have the four parts together, that just makes you have to know your music better because there are a lot of different entrances,” he said. “Without the other voices, that meant there was less pressure on you.”
“I was really excited when I saw my name on the list. That meant that all of hard work I put in finally paid off. Music is really important to me. It’s just something I’ve always come back to, and it struck a real chord in my heart.”
Hannah Noonan — Alto
Ever since junior high, which really wasn’t that long ago, Hannah Noonan has known she wanted to be an all-stater.
It didn’t take her long to achieve the honor, and now she’s one of a select few to have been chosen to the All-State Choir as freshman.
“I knew in junior high that all-state was my ultimate goal,” she said. “I wanted to try as a freshman, but I knew the chances of getting in were like one to none. I auditioned and did OK.
“My goal was that maybe I’d make it my sophomore or junior year. But this, this is amazing.”
Hannah is the daughter of Alisa Noonan and Brandon Noonan. She attended Neil Armstrong Elementary School, and got interested in music when she saw a flier sent out by junior high choir director Paul Skyles, who was organizing a children’s choir.
“I thought that sounded kind of cool, so I signed up,” she said. “Now look at me.”
Hannah recorded her audition video with choir director Lori Potts, and wasn’t happy with the end result.
“The audition was very scary, and I hated everything that I did,” she said. “I was really nervous, and I just felt it wasn’t the best that I could do.”
The judges must’ve felt differently, and she got the news late on a Saturday night.
“Anna Sophia (Council) called me like six times,” said Hannah. “She said, ‘You cannot be asleep. Check your email! I read it, and I jumped up and just started screaming and sobbing. My mom was across the street talking to a neighbor. I sprinted over there and burst into the door. I freaked out all of their dogs, and I was just sobbing.
“My mom thought I was hurt. I said, ‘Oh my gosh, I made all-state.’ She started crying, and then I called my dad and he started crying. It was so overwhelming, and I still can’t believe it.”
Hannah is also involved in band, Lancer Productions and plays volleyball. She’s disappointed there was no All-State Music Festival, but knows there will be other opportunities in her future.
“I was so looking forward to wearing the robe and representing North Scott,” she said. “I’m only a freshman, so maybe I will get to do that down the road.”
Anna Sophia Council — Alto
Music must be in the Council family genes, and Anna Sophia is just following in her big brother’s footsteps.
Now, after being chosen for the All-State Choir as a freshman, she has a chance to one-up him.
“My brother (Ben) made it three times, and I went out to the concert,” said Anna Sophia. “It is the most awesome experience, and it’s magical having everyone up there. It’s moving. It really is, and I’m extremely disappointed I didn’t have that opportunity.
“But, I have next year, and I’m already nervous.”
Anna Sophia is the daughter of Melissa and Darren Council, and she attended Neil Armstrong Elementary.
Similar to her good friend, Hannah Noonan, she joined Paul Skyles’ elementary school choir when she was in fourth grade.
“My brother has always been singing, especially in high school, and I’ve always loved singing, ever since I was little,” she said. “I thought it would be a great experience.
“Once I figured out singing, and how big of a thing it was to me, being an all-stater has always been a really huge thing for me. There are so many good things about singing. When you sing, everything else just kind of melts away, and you’re just singing, and it’s really nice.
Anna Sophia said her audition was nerve-wracking, and she didn’t sleep well the night before. Afterwards, she felt that some of her work wasn’t her best. She was also nervous to get the results.
“I got an email like at 11:30 on a Saturday,” she said. “I was standing by my phone, waiting, because I knew it was either that night or Sunday morning. When I saw my name, I thought I read it wrong. I was like, ‘I made it.’ Then it was like, ‘No, I didn’t.’ I had to give it to my mom to check it out.”
Anna Sophia is also involved in orchestra and Lancer Productions, and is also active with the school’s robotics team. She also works at Hy-Vee
“Freshman year, even if you don’t make it, it’s just a great experience to understand the process,” she said. “I’m already looking forward to the next three years.”