e g h iin Ti er l THE
Oct. 27, 2009 Volume 50 Issue 7
1015 Division St. Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613
All-State:
Choir, band, orchestra students excel at state-wide music contest
to my stomach with nerves, but my group was really awesome, and I had a good time during the auditions. It was the waiting after that got to me.” Nine band students qualified, two of whom were selected to play in the orchestra. The students in the All-State band include Nick Carlo on clarinet; Reed Bowden on trumpet;
selected student should be unable to participate), these alternates could be Staff Writer invited to fill them.” After all the preparation for An impressive 29 students from All-State, students who made it were the CFHS choir, band and orchestra very happy. Junior All-Stater Chris were selected for the Iowa All-State Kempf summed it up well. Music Festival. Auditions were “It feels good,” he said simply. held at Hampton High School on The 10 orchestra students chosen Saturday, Oct. 24. The festival will were Hannah Howland, be held in Ames, from Thursday to “It’s all about getting better Riley Martin, Amelia Saturday, Nov. 19-21. It ends with a through the process of trying out Sutton, Alexandra Bowperformance at the Hilton Coliseum – everyone learns and gets better man, Erik Olsen and Julia on Saturday. Liu on violin; Elizabeth There were 10 choir students through this experience.” selected, including Megan Pattee, —Kyle Engelhardt Bailey and Gwen Farber Ashley Mason, Sarah Welter and CFHS Band Director on viola; Dan Harter on violoncello, and Ann FieCarly Naaktgeboren for soprano; Jason Geisler on horn; Chris Kempf nup on harp. Three alternates were Ebony Kunkle, Samantha Takes and on bass trombone; Karl Sadkowski also selected, including Vanessa Kassy Salmon for alto; Carter Allen on bassoon; Ian Abbott on baritone Horstman on violin, Jakob Stoner and Eric Neill for tenor, and Ben saxophone; and Alexandra Redon string bass and Aaron Jepsen on Fagersten for bass. fern on percussion. Bassoon player cello. Choral director Kendra Wohlert Chelsea Hall and trombone player Students have many reasons to was pleased with the results. “I am Paul Strike were selected to play in be eager to be a part of All-State. very proud of all my students and First year All-Stater and freshman the hard work they put into this audi- the orchestra. Four band students were also Ann Fienup said, “I’m way excited tion,” she said. chosen as alternates, including because I get to go play with a bunch Although auditions can be very Monica Clark and Rhydian Talbot of other really amazing musicians nerve-racking, some of the anxiety on flute, Louis Redfern on tenor and make fabulous music.” was lessened for choir students saxophone and Justin Marshall on Orchestra director Scott Hall because they tried out in groups. bassoon. Being selected as an altersaid he feels very proud to see the “Ms. Wohlert puts groups of two, nate means, as band director Gerald students’ hard work pay off. “The three or four together based on how Ramsey explained, “They were students selected now have the well the singers sound together, how opportunity to work even more and they blend and how they compliment deemed to be All-State caliber, and if openings exist (if another district prepare to play music at a high level each other,” senior All-Stater Kassy did not fill all of their spots, or if a and continue to develop their musiSalmon said. “I was basically sick
Ellen Gustavson
cal skills,” he said. “All the students that worked for these auditions become a better musician and human being.” According to band director Kyle Engelhardt, only 1.7 percent of all students that tried out across the state were accepted. But, all the music directors agree that it is not only the students who make All-State who benefit from this experience. “We’re very proud of all the students that made All-State this year, as well as those that tried out but didn’t make it in,” Engelhardt said. “It’s all about getting better through the process of trying out – everyone learns and gets better through this experience.” Likewise, Wohlert said, “Those who make it have worked hard, are talented and deserve to be there. At the same time, many who have worked just as hard and are just as talented are not accepted. With the subjective nature of this competition, I most firmly believe in the ‘process’ as the most valuable and educational aspect.” Some students have even been practicing since the beginning of August. “These students can play. They have truly worked and persevered and have honed their skills to a level where this honor is truly deserved,” Hall said.
Diversity group to kick off for year Donald Halbmaier Staff Writer
CFHS students are taking their parts in making the school a more welcoming, inclusive and diverse environment where students feel accepted tonight at the high school. Harmony is a group that works to educate the population of Cedar Falls High School about issues relating to diversity and equality. Led by guidance counselor Susan
Langan, the group is open to and welcomes all students. Tonight’s kickoff is scheduled to start at 6 p.m., with walking tacos served around 7 p.m. Already, the program has had a relatively good turnout this year. “We have about 90 students planning on attending the kickoff,” Langan said. Student panels will speak at the kickoff, talking about the program’s goals for the year and collecting
other ideas for the year as well. Besides the kickoff, Harmony intends on attending race conferences and other conventions this upcoming year. “We have a race conference we are planning to attend on the 12th of November, but that is when the high school is giving the ITEDs, so we are hoping we have enough seniors to attend,” Langan said. This is just another sign that even though the program has gone
through multiple changes throughout the recent years, it still strong and active as ever. The program used to have student lead all school dialogues and activities. “There were good, bad and in the middle reactions to the activities, but we had to stop them,” Langan noted. Harmony also has a Thanksgiving party planned for the residents of Country View in late November. The date is still pending.
News Briefs Attention sophomores. Trick or treating for cans of food is on Thursday, Oct. 29 from 7-8:30 p.m. Meet at the high school afterward to turn in cans, collect prizes and enjoy refreshments. There will be a pancake breakfast in the cafeteria on Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 7-8:30 a.m. There is no charge for the breakfast, but a free-will offering will be collected with all proceeds to benefit the food drive. Students, staff, parents and community members are all welcome to attend. There will be another pancake breakfast from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31. Proceeds will go toward band activities. Thursday, Oct. 29 is the end of the first quarter of this school year. Tammy Frahm’s class will be selling craft items that they have made and that were donated at a variety of high school events. Please come to room 13 for a presale event on Wednesday, Oct. 28, during 4th period. They will be adding new crafts each month. Sophomore Leadership will be taking orders for CFHS Kicks Can! T-shirts all this week. See a sample picture in the activities office, where you may place your order and pay for your shirt with activities secretary Jane Carter. Sophomore Leadership will be selling hot chocolate in the concession by the gym entrance this week on Tuesday-Thursday for $1 per cup. On Wednesday, Oct. 28, whipped cream pies will be available during lunch to throw at teacher volunteers for $1 per pie.