
Northwest Festival Choirs
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Nova Choir Video |
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James McMahon, Nova Chorus – Director of Choral Activities, Simle Middle School James McMahon earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the University of Mary in 2002 and has done continuing education work with UND, NDSU and UMary. James started his professional teaching career in the Fall of 2002 at Simle Middle School in Bismarck. In his work he helps students realize their value by teaching community, collaboration, and creativity. Now in his 20th year in education, he continues to develop the Choral Program at Simle with many students participating. At Simle, he teaches 6th-8th grade Choir, as well the extra-curricular Simle Singers and Swing Choir. He was awarded the North Dakota American Choral Directors Association “Outstanding Young Choral Director” in 2008 for his commitment to his students and the choral art form. He has also received the “Golden Apple” award for teaching excellence. He is enjoying his 9th season directing Kantorei, the middle-level auditioned choir with Central Dakota Children’s Choir. Under his direction, Kantorei was selected as a showcase performance choir for the 2016 NDACDA State Choral Convention. Recently his auditioned choir, Simle Singers, was chosen as a showcase choir for the 2022 NDACDA state convention. James received Arthur Hull Drum Circle facilitation training in 2019 and utilizes that to teach community and teamwork in the classroom. He has been doing work in Bismarck Public Schools with behavioral and mental health, supporting the needs of all students. He enjoys composing music as a singer-songwriter and integrating his original work into his choral ensembles. He can be found performing with various local musical ensembles and most recently releasing an EP with the musical group Peace Garden Collective, which features CDCC’s Kantorei on a song. James has a love for the Bismarck community and has served as President of the Dakota West Arts Council Board of Directors. James is an accomplished trumpet player and has played Principal Trumpet in the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony and has served on the International Music Camp Jazz Faculty. James is an Assistant Tennis Coach for the Legacy Sabers boys and girls tennis teams, working with fundamentals of resilience, effort and integrity. He especially values quality time with his family and loved ones. |
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Directors Notes - Nova Choir - James McMahon
I am absolutely honored to have the opportunity to work with The Nova Choir this year! Congratulations on your successful audition. I look forward to meeting each of you and am excited for the experience of making music together. I chose four pieces that I think you will love to sing, each as a vehicle to grow musically while providing an opportunity for you to connect on a deeper level.
Any of the minimal divisi in the set will be assigned the first day of rehearsal - singers should be prepared to sing either note in any of the divisi passages. In addition to these brief directions below, the composers have some performance notes on the inside cover for you to consider. Please listen to recordings of the selections to familiarize yourself with the compositions, and of course study your part so we can make the most of our time together.
Dies Irae -
This piece will be performed with grueling intensity and a large spectrum of dynamics.
Check the Latin text pronunciation.
Anyone interested in singing in the small group m. 67-81, prepare accordingly.
Ballade to the Moon -
To be performed with tender beauty, flowing musical line and slight sense of rubato in the phrase.
Directors of each school should assign the Bass 2 notes to students that can reach the F# with clarity and projection.
I Sing Because I’m Happy -
Pay special attention to articulation and style in this piece. Exaggerate the difference between the tenuto, accent and staccato. No breath in the phrase pick-up to m.29 - m.32. Quick breath after “am!” in m.50. Have Fun!
Take This Gift -
This piece should have joyful and playful energy. The trickiest section is pick-up to m.45 up to the key change at m.63, so please prepare for that contrasting material. Let your love for singing grow!
Soprano:
Ava Erhardt, Center-Stanton
Brooke Kuehnast, Century High School
Ava Austin, Century High School
Emily Anderson, Century High School
Kaylee Nistler, Century High School
Ella Ukestad, Century High School
Rose McMurtrey, Century High School
Cayleigh Thomas, Century High School
Kaidence Bear, Dickinson High School
Stella Treat, Dickinson High School
Elaina Mohler, Dickinson High School
Ember Saiz, Glenburn Public School
Kjersten Skoglund, Horizon Middle School
Reese Iverson, Horizon Middle School
Hailey Kuehnast, Horizon Middle School
Sophia Weis, Horizon Middle School
Cecilia Graumann, Harvey
Ayla Held, Harvey
Brynlee Brost, Hazen Middle School
Addie Emter, Homeschool
Charlotte Rae, Homeschool- Dickinson
McKenna Jensen, Jim Hill Middle School
Annabelle Wohl, Legacy High School
Kia Wickenheiser, Legacy High School
Abigail Erbele, Legacy High School
Annabelle LaRock, Legacy High School
Cali Ktytor, Legacy High School
Tatum Sondeland, Legacy High School
Kailey Stampka, Legacy High School
Ally Chapin, Lewis and Clark Berthold
Hailee Ness, May-Port CG
Sophia Sandy, Minot High School
Baleigh Tharp, Minot North High School
Leah White, Minot North High School
Ava Hanson, Mohall Lansford Sherwood High School
Avery Wiens, Shiloh Christian
Maria Martin, Simle Middle School
Avery Pfennig, Simle Middle School
Leah Goyne, Surrey High School
Hayden Bassett, Underwood Public School
Christine Yunker, Washburn High School
Lily Gardner, Washburn High School
Alto:
Annika Carlson, Century High School
Lauren Miller, Century High School
Kaitlyn Volk, Century High School
Devany Weis, Century High School
Annabelle Woodbury, Century High School
Isla Woodbury, Century High School
Emma Henry, Culbertson Middle School (MT)
Aubrey Kelley, Dickinson High School
Marley Featherstone, Dickinson High School
McKenna Kjorness, Dickinson High School
Lilly Reile, Dickinson Middle School
Lola Kilwein, Dickinson Middle School
Zoey Halvorson, Dickinson Middle School
Leaona Duran, Erik Ramstad Middle School
Broden Chell, Erik Ramstad Middle School
Danica Stolba, Erik Ramstad Middle School
Sophia Clark, Erik Ramstad Middle School
Isabella rogers, Glenburn Public School
Sophia Jacobson, Horizon Middle School
Lyla Erhardt, Horizon Middle School
Serenity Wicklund-Bungy, Horizon Middle School
Svea Dornfeld, Horizon Middle School
Daphne Olson, Jamestown High School
Taylor Hutchinson, Legacy High School
Berniece Debertin, Legacy High School
Ella Martin, Legacy High School
Lorelei Chapin, Lewis and Clark Berthold
Gwen Romesha, Minot High School
Valorosa Bloom, Minot High School
Arley Garrison, Minot High School
Treasure Moran, Minot High School
Kendall Bice, Minot North High School
Cathrine Slaughter, Minot North High School
Winter Getzlaff, Minot North High School
Evi Markley, Turtle Lake-Mercer School
Bentley Eaton, Sawyer High School
Josiah Walla, TFP Homeschool
Weston Rom, TGU Towner
Rae Espinoza, Trinity Catholic School
Kortney Verke, Washburn High School
Abigail Knight, Washburn High School
Tenor:
Jace Brannan-Jorgenson, Century High School
Ian Combs, Century High School
Garrison Dreher, Century High School
Jackson Laib, Century High School
Peyton Jahns, Culbertson High School (MT)
Braylon Bundy, Custer County District HS (MT)
Benjamin Ricks, Dickinson Middle School
Teddy Andrist, Horizon Middle School
Kale Demello-Rice, Horizon Middle School
Sam Perleberg, Jametown High School
Jonathan Mack, Langdon Area HS
Bishop Vetter, Legacy High School
Marcos Archuleta, Legacy High School
Bennett Monson, Legacy High School
Jakob Koepplin, Legacy High School
Campbell McGill, Legacy High School
Brayden Hauf, Max Public School
Gabriel Magallon, Max Public School
Jameson Carriger, Minot North High School
Drake Tayler, Minot North High School
Aiden Kinzell, Minot North High School
Marshal Bourbanis-Carter, Park River Area School
Alex Leier, Velva
Gabriel Rohrich, Washburn High School
Lennox Youpee, Westby MT
Nikolai Astvatsaturov, Williston High School
Matthew Quinn, Wilton PS
Bass:
Caleb Thies, Center-Stanton
Bridger Huelsman, Century High School
Felixe Becker, Culbertson High School
Jeremy DeLaet, Dickinson High School
Landon Hymenyik, Dickinson High School
Richard Leshovsky, Dickinson High School
Jack Chibande, Dickinson Middle School
Nicholas Palmer, Erik Ramstad Middle School
Nehemiah Wiest, Homeschool
Ezra Woodside, Homeschool
Nathaniel Fink, Horizon Middle School
Evan Peske, Horizon Middle School
Eli Stein, Horizon Middle School
Kyler Schulz, Horizon Middle School
Lane Silha, Legacy High School
William Nicholson, Legacy High School
Connor Svihovec, Legacy High School
Carter Jeide, Legacy High School
Jens Twedt, May-Port CG
Adam Zabka, Max Public School
Stetson Brandvold, Max Public School
Leah Dokken, Minot High School
Jason Shappell, Minot Hight School
Aiden Getty, Mohall Lansford Sherwood High School
Ayms Melin, Shiloh Christian
Rance Reluao, Simle Middle School
Alexander Brunsell, Williston High School
Landen White, Williston High School
Carter Cleveland, Wilton PS
Jakoby Folmer, Wilton PS
Jaydan Mann, Zeeland High School
Braden Huber, Zeeland High School
Micah Levene, Zeeland High School
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Cantabile Choir Video | |
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Emerson Eads, conductor |
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Soprano 1:
Elise Fugere, Belfield Public School
Michaela Gronseth, Carrington High School
Vera Wittman, Carrington High School
Jocelyn Newman, Cavalier Public School
Katie Tschaekofsky, Century High School
Bryanna Vetter, Century High School
MaeBelle Oxendahl, Century High School
Willow Dendy, Century High School
Ava Flotkoetter, Custer County District HS
Lydia Janssen, Devils Lake High School
Ica White, Dickinson High School
Aaliya Cisneros, Dickinson High School
Abbigale Carico, Fairview High School MT
Simone Joubert, Harvey
Eden Ellingsen, Jamestown High School
Melah Mackal, Langdon Area HS
Ruby Skaro, Legacy High School
Kinley Hoerer, Legacy High School
Taylor Howell, Legacy High School
Makayla White, Lewis and Clark Berthold
Aubrey Kenner, Maddock High School
Avery Ainslie, Minot High School
Jaidyn White, Minot North High School
Terra Marshall, Mohall Lansford Sherwood High School
CamiLynne Walters, North Star Public School
Alexandra Shirek, Park River Area School
Violet Fideldy, Richardton Taylor PS
Ree Fox, Rugby Public School District
Kiley Mausehund, Scranton Public School
Kaetlyn Ring, Shiloh Christian
Jaci Reisenauer, South Heart Public School
Tessa Zarak, South Heart Public School
Emma Vander Wal, Washburn High School
Alyssa Horob, Williston High School
Grace Keck, Williston High School
Alexandria Arnold, Wilton PS
Lillian Rue – Legacy High School
Soprano 2:
Brook Leiss, South Prairie
Tessa Wanner, Belfield Public School
Havyn Quintanilla, Bowman County High School
Aspyn Hendrickson, Center-Stanton
Regan Weis, Century High School
Briahna Pomarleau, Century High School
Shaelyn Dengel, Century High School
Greta Tooke, Custer County District HS
Marlee Adair, Dickinson High School
Zoey Everett, Garrison Public School
Elizabeth Schmechel, Glenburn Public School
Brandy Foss, Harvey
Alissa Johnson, Hazen High School
Katherina Buckmier, Hettinger Public School
Sophie Bratton Jamestown High School
Calen Rohrbach, Jamestown High School
Jovi Taylor, Jamestown High School
Kayla Tiffany, Legacy High School
Callie Dockter, Legacy High School
Rylyn Arndorfer, Legacy High School
Addie Bower, Legacy High School
Lucy Miller, Legacy High School
Kassy Hochhalter, Lewis and Clark Berthold
Daya Walshtrom, Minot High School
Sophia Hall, Minot High School
Sara Garver, Minot North High School
Adria Beach, Minot North High School
Payton Stolba, Minot North High School
Isabel Juarez, Minot High School
Sarah Jones, May-Port CG
Juliana Bohm, Mohall Lansford Sherwood High School
Keely Shea, Our Redeemer’s Christian School
Tayah Westerness, Powers Lake School
Jocelyn Redka, Richardton Taylor PS
Kinley Stadheim, Scranton Public School
Maya Wonnenberg, Shiloh Christian School
Masha Mayer, Trinity Catholic School
Emersyn Getchell, Velva
Savanna Olsen, Williston High School
Jocelynn Olson – Legacy High School
Alto 1:
Emma Loughman, Bowman County High School
Brilee Erhardt, Century High School
Kaya Sparks, Century High School
Kayla Mezger, Century High School
Audrina Diaz, Custer County District HS
Jasmine Casas, Dickinson High School
Medora Rambousek, Dickinson High School
DeLayla Thom, Dickinson High School
Jocia Fuhrman, Divide
Courtney Collings, Garrison Public School
Jasmine Kukowski, Harvey
Josie Finlet, Harvey
Scout Woodside, Homeschool
Emma Hoke, Jamestown High School
Aleah Olson, Legacy High School
Cara Baumann, Legacy High School
Audrey Haugen, Legacy High School
Kendall Jones, Legacy High School
Jaclynn Heck, Legacy High School
Evelyn Koshney, May-Port CG
Taylor Nehring, Minot High School
Teagen Bennett, Minot High School
Lillyanne DeBold, Minot High School
Lyla Prestwich, Minot High School
Ashley Carr, Minot North High School
Thea Thompson, Park River Area School
Miya Pretzer, Richardton Taylor PS
Eden McFadden, Rugby High School
Kyan Stadheim, Scranton Public School
Kaylee Yearian, Surrey High School
Lorelei Emter, Trinity Catholic School
Cassie Hauck, Trinity High School
Inaia Way, Turtle Lake Mercer School
Ariel Gilseth, Turtle Lake-Mercer School
Kiera Becker, Washburn High School
Tegan Johnson, Williston High School
Hailee Cree, Velva
Alto 2:
Mia Roehrich, Legacy High School
Lauren Pfeifer, Century High School
Robyn Lakey, Belfield Public School
Mykela Kruger, Beulah High School
Sharon Osteroos, Des Lacs-Burlington High School
Emmerson Boyeff, Devils Lake High School
Elizabeth Mohler, Dickinson High School
Tamyra Hutzenbeler, Dickinson High School
Keira Driskill, Dickinson High School
Alaina McKenna, Hazen High School
Mara Norrell, Home School
Hannah Tarr, Jamestown High School
Matilda Lawson, Langdon Area HS
Haidyn Zacher, Legacy High School
Emma Lewis, Legacy High School
Kylah Anderson, Legacy High School
Brynlee Ressler, Legacy High School
Amyah Fleckenstein, Legacy High School
Emma Sander, Minot High School
Ackenna Hoffman, Minot High School
Ashlyn Brockhoff, Minot North High School
Kenleigh Monley, Minot North High School
Elizabeth Parks, Minot North High School
Jorie Ahlberg, North Star Public School
Addison Wallace, Newburg United PS
Carmen Lindekugel, Newburg United PS
China Ugobi, Our Redeemer’s Christian School
Gracie Ebel, Our Redeemer’s Christian School
Isabell Ressler, Our Redeemer’s Christian School
Marnell Sobolik, Rugby High School
Brooklyn Tomlinson, Turtle Lake-Mercer School
Gracie Fuentes, Underwood Public School
Kylie Johnson, Williston High School
Vienna Moriarity, Williston High School
Halei Degenstein, Velva
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Concert Choir Video | |
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Dr. Elliott Smith, Concert Chorus – Director of Choral Activities, South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities Dr. Elliott Smith is an exceptionally versatile musician who has built an impactful career as a teacher, pianist, and conductor. He has conducted in the United States and the UK and participated as a singer in performances in Mexico, Chile, and Italy. He has worked in lessons and masterclasses with many renowned conductors including Stephen Cleobury, Peter Phillips, Dale Warland, and Ann Howard Jones. His principal conducting studies were with Carmen Helena Téllez, Elmer Thomas, Earl Rivers, Brett Scott, and Annunziata Tomaro. Dr. Smith’s work as a choral conductor encompasses working with choirs K4 through high school, collegiate choirs, community choirs and professional ensembles. He is currently the choir director at the S.C. Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities and conducts two groups: Cantus, a distinguished chamber choir comprising all voice majors, and the all-school choir comprising all music majors; additionally, he teaches music theory, Elements of Music, and class piano. Dr. Smith has a deep love for choral methods and pedagogy and recently led a professional development session entitled “Ensembles: Building from the Inside Out” for a group of South Carolina public educators. He also has served as a clinician at middle and high school choral events spanning Indiana and South Carolina. Dr. Smith is honored and thrilled to be at the Northwest Festival of Music. |
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Directors Notes - Concert Choir
Hello! I want to express how honored and humbled I am to have the opportunity to come and work with all of you this weekend. Music is something that builds community, brings beauty into the world, betters us as people, and allows us to experience the transcendental. I am simply thrilled to make music with you!
Our program presents three wonderful pieces, and I do believe that you will love them all. I would like to ask that you spend a bit of time with the practice tracks, especially the Monteverdi “Cantate Domino.” Singing through the tracks to each of our pieces several times before Friday will immensely speed up our learning process, and we can make art much sooner.
For the Monteverdi, the baritones will cover the B1 part and all tenors will be on tenor. If we need it for balance, I may ask a few second tenors to join the baritones. We will address this on Friday.
Again, I cannot wait to meet you all!
All best,
Dr. Smith
Soprano 1:
Katelyn Leiss, South Prairie
Natalie Thompson, Century High School
Jasmine Shi, Century High School
Lily Trautman, Century High School
MeKayla Stordalen, Century High School
Braelon Geerdes, Jamestown High School
Claire Chaput, Langdon Area HS
Liberty Griggs, Legacy High School
Madelyn Lemke, Legacy High School
Hannah Routledge, Legacy High School
Bethany Jensen, Legacy High School
Hannah Ostlie, May-Port CG
Xylia Michells, Minot High School
Layla Port, Minot High School
Mia Murphy, Minot North High School
Samantha Lagein, Mt Pleasant School District Rolla
MaHalle Lizotte, Nedrose Public School
Ella Anderson, Scranton Public School
Isabella Voller, Shiloh Christian School
Addie Schmidt – Legacy High School
Soprano 2:
Tenley Nodland, Century High School
Ady Scherbenske, Century High School
Lily Dinger, Century High School
Jessica Morris, Century High School
Lilly Miller, Divide County
Aspen Humes, Jamestown High School
Lakyn Heaton, Legacy High School
Claire Keely, Minot High School
Isabella Peatross, Minot High School
Abby Speer, Minot North High School
Caiya Chell, Minot North High School
Kenna Huff, Nedrose Public School
Aubrey Sveen, Park River High School
Grace McHugo, Thompson Public School
Alto 1:
Alayna Hansen, Century High School
Katie Ragan, Century High School
Emmersyn Schuler, Century High School
Matiah Sharbono, Fairview High School MT
Grace Hastings, Jamestown High School
Avery Wurtz, Legacy High School
Shanna Gette, Langdon Area HS
Catelyn Goodman, Langdon Area HS
Madilyn Crump, Langdon Area HS
Emily Norstebon, May-Port CG
Maggie Bloom, Minot High School
Devyn Bechel, Minot North High School
Aubry Houle, Mt Pleasant School Rolla
Rogue Stephens, North Star Public
Talli Eaton, Scranton Public School
Kailee Tescher, South Heart Public School
Ellery Siebuhr, Velva High School
Annika Joyes, Westby MT
Anna LeMoine – Legacy High School
Eleanor Kingsley, Minot North High School
Alto 2:
Victoria Davis, Bowman County High School
Ava Kemnitz, Cavalier Public School
Megan Bassingthwaite, Century High School
Haley Mezger, Century High School
Avery Hoyt, Century High School
Kalli Shirley, Century High School
Annike Gaebe, Century High School
Greta Brown, Custer County District HS
Schayla Hansen, Dickinson High School
Jenneva Ward, Hazen High School
Nola Emter, Homeschool
Micaiah Wiest, Homeschool
Lilibeth Santizo, Kenmare High School
Emilie Chaffee, Legacy High School
Ophelia Gray, Minot High School
Maeli Haia, Minot High School
Kale Williams, Maddock High School
Emma Stevens, May-Port CG
Adaya Kajune, Nedrose Public School
Tenor 1:
Bayne Blanchard, Century High School
Jaquaveon Williams, Century High School
Easton Schuh, Harvey
Aiden Lorenz, Jamestown High School
Brayden Harris, Langdon Area HS
Aiden Hogue, Legacy High School
Branson Jund, Legacy High School
Nathan Luithle, Legacy High School
Conner Sharpe, Minot High School
Isaac Baggaley, Minot High School
Brandt Mickelson, Mt Pleasant School District Rolla
Ian Bromley, Our Redeemer’s Christian School
Joseph Voigt, Shiloh Christian
Levi Repnow, Underwood Public School
Blake Stewart, Westby MT
Tenor 2:
Greyson Riegel, Century High School
Alex Henry, Culbertson High School
Reese Hinrichs, Custer County District HS
Josiah Wiest, Homeschool
Finley Opp, Legacy High School
Griffin Kyes, Legacy High School
Andrew Hoke, Legacy High School
Maddox Thiele, Legacy High School
Easton Scherr, Legacy High School
Eli Chaffee, Legacy High School
Jack Mitchell, Legacy High School
Lucas Tangen, Legacy High School
Mason Smith, Max Public School
Matthew Wistisen, Minot High School
Nathan Wistisen, Minot High School
Conner Shaw, Minot High School
Jonathan Bovia, Mohall Lansford Sherwood High School
Ethan Brintnell, School of the Holy Family
David Merchant, South Heart Public School
Bass 1:
Raymond Lundstrom, Beulah High School
Seth Hall, Center-Stanton
Isaac Nistler, Century High School
Kaleb Clark, Century High School
James McMurtrey, Century High School
Tristan Patrick, Century High School
August Phillips, Century High School
Gabe Ricks, Dickinson High School
Owen Thigpen, Hazen High School
Gavin Guinn, Legacy High School
Tyler Heid, Legacy High School
James Anhorn, Legacy High School
Orion Bennet, Minot High School
Rylan Thompson, Minot North High School
Peyton Vix, Our Redeemer’s Christian School
Bradley Stockert, Richardton Tayler PS
Andrew Swenson, School of the Holy Family
Kasen Brock, South Heart Public School
Sidney Montgomery, Washburn High School
Bass 2:
Xander Fink, Century High School
Zander Wilmes, Century High School
Alexander Lakoduk, Drake-Anamoose High School
Blake Larson, Hettinger Public School
Trace Tysver, Legacy High School
Redik Glaser, Legacy High School
Evan Glasser, Legacy High School
Tim Miller, Legacy High School
Ryan Wagner, Legacy High School
Harry Straley, Legacy High School
Jacob McClenahen, May-Port CG
Gavin Youngblood, Minot High School
Landan Wyum, Minot High School
Elliot Ruzic, Minot North High School
John Oak, Ray High School
Parker Dockter, Sargent Central
Morgan Temple, Sargent Central
Ace Schug, Williston High School
Caleb Jans, Wilton PS