Fourteen students at Mount Vernon High School have attained the highest individual honor available to Iowa high school musicians by being selected as members of the 2023 Iowa Orchestra and Chorus.
The orchestra saw freshman, Jackson Voight, son of Nathan and Meredith Voight, selected on string bass. This is Jackson’s first opportunity to audition and first selection to the orchestra.
Seniors Charlotte Krob (soprano) daughter of Mark and Erin Krob, and Mollie Snedden (soprano) daughter of Darin and Lea Snedden were each selected for the All-State chorus for the second time. Kaylie Kelchen (alto) daughter of Whitney Schreder and Daniel Kelchen, and Kylie Pyatt (alto) daughter of Adam and Jan Pyatt were each selected to the chorus for the first time. Juniors selected to the chorus include Emmett Jordan (tenor) son of Duane and Leigh Ann Jordan, Jaks Lee (bass) son of Jason and Tanya Lee, Gabriel Mahoney (bass) son of Matt and Shawna Mahoney, Skye Rodman (tenor) daughter of Chris Rodman, and Graham Vavricek (bass) son of Tim and Jill Vavricek. This is the first selection for each of the juniors. Four sophomores were selected for the All-State Chorus. They include Michael Covington (bass) son of Blake and Sarah Covington, Isabel Govea (alto) daughter of Antonio and Elizabeth Govea, Claire Jensen (soprano) daughter of James and Jessica Jensen, and Lewis Krob (tenor) son of Mark and Erin Krob. This is the second selection for Isabel Govea and the first for the remaining sophomores. The thirteen chorus members selected marks the highest number of All-State singers in the teaching career of director Thad Wilkins.
Scott Weber (band), Thad Wilkins (choir), and Tabitha Rasmussen (orchestra) are the directors of the Mount Vernon high school music program.
The 2023 Festival will celebrate the 77th anniversary of this prestigious event. District auditions for the 278 piece All-State Band, 214 piece All-State Orchestra, and 601 member All-State Chorus were held Saturday, Oct. 21 2023 at Le Mars, Hampton, Independence, Atlantic, Indianola, and Washington. Approximately 25% of students who audition are selected for membership in the All State ensembles. Participants will rehearse in Ames Friday and Saturday, Nov.17 & 18, and the festival concert will be presented to the public at 7:30 pm in Hilton Colluseam, Iowa State University, Ames on Saturday evening November 18. 2023. Iowa PBS will record the concert for rebroadcast. Please check the Iowa PBS website (www.iowapbs.org) for exact dates and times. This program is under the auspices of the Iowa High School Music Association and the Iowa Music Educators Association.
Tickets are $30 each, plus fees, and all seats are reserved. Tickets may be obtained for the Iowa All-State Festival Concert by contacting Ticketmaster – Orders may be placed online (www.ticketmaster.com) and are currently on sale. Ticketmaster will charge a per-ticket convenience fee.