Schools

These Girls Can Sing! Westonka Students Selected for All-State Choirs

Monica Shukle and Mandy Isaacs will complete their All-State Choir experience this weekend with a concert at Bethel College in St. Paul.

by Lorrie Ham

Two Mound Westonka High School concert choir students will complete their All-State Choir experience this weekend with a workshop and performance at the Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA) Mid-Winter Clinic.

Senior Monica Shukle, in her second year as an All-State Choir member, was selected for the mixed choir, while senior Maddy Isaacs, a first-time All-State selection, was chosen for the women’s choir. Both musicians took part in a week-long camp at St. John’s University in Collegeville back in August.

The choirs will give their final performances on Saturday, Feb. 16, at 10:30 a.m. at Benson Great Hall on the campus of Bethel College in St. Paul. 

The All-State Choirs, sponsored by the Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA), bring together 250 vocal music students from across Minnesota for a week-long camp and a spot in one of the three choirs—mixed, women’s and men’s.

“Both students completed a rigorous live audition including sight-reading, tonal memory and a prepared solo,” said choir director Kate Larson. “It is a huge honor to be selected as every spring over 2,000 students audition for the All-State ensembles.” 

Isaacs said of the All-State experience, “It was amazing to sing with so many people who were just as passionate about choir as I am. Also, the community aspect was fantastic.”
 
Her comments were echoed by Shukle, who said making All-State Choir for a second year was very exciting.

“I had an even better experience and made many new, lasting friendships,” Shukle said.

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