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Watch the 2022 State Honors Concerts now!
November 7, 2022 Leave a Comment
Some of Wisconsin’s hardest working young musicians came together Oct. 27-28 in Madison to perform in one of the five ensembles that make up the Wisconsin School Music Association State Honors Concerts series each year.
Each performance is the culmination of months of diligent effort that begins with an intensive summer camp, followed by hours of disciplined self-study. The students then get one full day to rehearse together before taking the stage at Overture Hall, led by talented guest conductors from around the country.
A program featuring interviews and highlights of each performance will air on PBS Wisconsin at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 26, but you can enjoy recordings of the full concerts right now!
2022 State Honors Band
2022 State Honors Band conductor Scott Teeple prepared a program filled with moments of joy and sorrow, incorporating the Overture Center’s signature pipe organ and the delicate sound of two harps. The concert included a commission, “Of Our New Day Begun,” from composer Omar Thomas. The piece was inspired by the tragic 2015 shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, often called Mother Emanuel, in Charleston, South Carolina.
2022 State Honors Treble Choir
In the music selected for the 2022 Treble Choir, conductor Rhonda Fuelberth sought to inspire hope for a brighter future, in both the ensemble and the audience. The piece “One Voice,” by Ruth Moody, opens the concert with a powerful message of unity.
2022 State Honors Orchestra
For the 2022 Honors Orchestra, conductor Barbara Rhyneer sought out pieces from diverse sources, including songs from composers in Hong Kong and Venezuela, to bring together a program that takes the audience on a musical journey and expands their understanding of the scope of orchestral arrangements.
2022 State Honors Jazz
Conductor Barb Catlin selected pieces that celebrate the African American roots of the genre for the 2022 Honors Jazz ensemble. From music of the legendary Duke Ellington Band, to a contemporary jazz take on the band Radiohead from composer Fred Sturm, the program explored jazz through time.
2022 State Honors Mixed Choir
The music selection assembled by 2022 Mixed Choir conductor Lee Nelson included compositions that challenged and delighted the students in the ensemble. The concert included a spirited rendition of “Rejoice” by Jeffery Ames that allowed the group to open their hearts and share their love of music.
Wisconsin School Music Association Wisconsin State Honors Concerts Music Overture Center Made in Wisconsin State Honors Concert
DAVID C CHRISTENSEN says:
Do you have archived concerts from the State Music Honors groups? I’m trying to locate a recording of a piece written by WI composer, Joel Blahnik, called “Slava! A Celebration…). It was before 2022, and directed by a woman, but I can’t remember her name, except it looked hard to pronounce…
Hope you can help me- Joel passed away recently around Christmas, and we are trying to get a recording of this music to honor him at an upcoming concert.
Thanks!
Alyssa Beno says:
Hello David – we have archived concerts going back to 2015. Please scroll to the bottom of this page to where it says “Watch Online.” You may need to contact the Wisconsin School Music Association to determine which year and concert the piece was performed in. Hope this helps! https://pbswisconsin.org/site-results/?q=state%20honors%20concert
Samantha Nash says:
Hi David – Are you sure this was part of a State Honors broadcast? Our team hasn’t been able to find any record of that piece being performed in the State Honors concerts. There was another piece called Slava! performed in 2023, but that was by a different composer.
I’ll update you here if we find anything, we’re sorry to hear of Joel’s passing!
– Samantha