This year was another successful year for the music department here at MCHS. The State Large Group contest for Varsity and Concert Choir, Concert and Symphonic Band, and the Orchestra was held on May 5th in Cedar Falls. The choirs and bands performed at the Cedar Falls High School, while the orchestra was bussed to Holmes Middle School in Cedar Falls for their performance. All of the ensembles had fantastic performances.
The bands are directed by Russ Kramer and Sam Bills. Both Symphonic Band and Concert Band are consisted of students ranging from freshmen to seniors. The bands performed in the afternoon to give the students who are also in choir a bit of a break between performances. Symphonic Band received a division one superior rating, and the Concert Band received a division two excellent rating.
The orchestra is directed by Malcolm Burke. This ensemble is also consists of students ranging from freshmen to seniors. As said before, the orchestra performed at Holmes Middle School in Cedar Falls. They also played in the afternoon so the choir students could have a break between choir and orchestra. The orchestra received a division one superior rating from the three judges present.
The choirs are directed by Joel Everist and Sarah Bouska, with the accompaniment of Rachel Everist. Varsity Choir consists of sophomores through seniors, and Concert Choir consists of juniors and seniors. Both choirs performed in the morning, and received a division one superior rating from the three judges. From there, Concert Choir is split again into Bass Clef directed by Everist, and Treble Clef directed by Bouska. Both choirs received division one superior ratings. The Mason City choir holds the longest state large group division one streak in the state of Iowa, and we were able to continue this lasting streak with the scores this year. Congratulations to all the MCHS musicians on yet another successful year.