Each year, area schools send band and choir student delegates to participate in an All-Star Band and All-Star Choir clinic concert. The event is held on a single day, with students receiving instruction from a guest conductor in large- and small-group settings during the day and culminating in an impressive concert.
This year, Amherst was the host for students from 20 different schools, including Almond-Bancroft, Bonduel, Bowler, Gresham, Iola-Scandinavia, Manawa, Marion, Necedah, Northland Lutheran, Pacelli, Port Edwards, Rosholt, Shiocton, Tigerton, Tri-County, Weyauwega-Fremont, Wild Rose, and Wittenberg-Birnamwood.
Dr. Matheus Cruz — director of Choral Activities at UW-Stevens Point and the conductor of the UWSP Concert Choir and University Choir, as well as teaching courses in music education — was the guest conductor for the All-Star Choir. The professor of trombone, euphonium, and tuba at UWSP, Dr. Patrick Lawrence, was the guest conductor for the All-Star Band. You might recognize him as the conductor of the wildly popular Tuba Christmas Concert held each December at UWSP.
Preparations for the event began months before the concert, which was held on January 17 and live-streamed on the Amherst High School YouTube channel. Students receive their music a few weeks before the event so they can learn the basics before the All-Star clinic and concert.
“The All-Star Band and Choir Festival was a fantastic day of high-level music collaboration by top musicians from 20 of our conference’s high schools,” said Amherst choral director VurChelle Baumann. “Dr. Matheus Cruz and Dr. Patrick Lawrence from UW-Stevens Point were excellent clinicians and had wonderful things to say about our students as well as the efficiency of the festival.
Choir delegates from Amherst included sophomore Jackson Helgemo, junior Sascha Gollon, and seniors Cole Jensen, Dierks Klieforth, Ava Krebsbach, Presley Voss, and Kasey Werachowski.
Band delegates from Amherst featured freshman Lucas Wucherer, Landon Austin, and Solomon Towne; sophomores Madalyn Skibba and Lucas Leary; junior Kayden Vander Laan; and seniors Gibson Kenyon and Alaina Zietlow.
“Many volunteers helped to make everyone feel welcomed and supported,” Baumann added. “The event culminated with a concert with more than 700 in attendance.”
