This year, the process began in July and included the release of selected music and the chance to attend a summer camp to learn about the selected pieces, according to senior choir director Matt Drees.

“This gives them a head start in learning and preparing music,” Drees said. “Otherwise, we usually start rehearsing the music with the students outside of class in the first few weeks of school in August.”

This year, seven Fort Dodge High School students got the call that their efforts paid off and earned a state selection and a chance to perform at the state festival in Ames on Nov. 22-23.

Earning all-state recognition were Abi Casciato, Micah Flaherty, Owen Hamlow, Alexa McHone, Lauren Patterson, Manuela Rodriguez and Claire Thompson.

Fort Dodge had 15 students prepare and audition. Auditions were held on October 26 in LeMars. Drees said Fort Dodge typically has between seven and 10 students selected for all-state with a maximum score of 13.

“There are usually 600 students selected for all states,” Drees said. “Those 600 represent about 15 percent of the total number of students who auditioned. The selected students represent somewhere around the top 2% of all students enrolled in 9-12 music nationally.”

Drees said students experience a wide range of emotions as they prepare for the all-state auditions. he said “It’s usually a mixture of nerves, performance anxiety and excitement. Waiting for results is always such a long time and difficult to manage.”

During Drees’ time as choir director, there were two students who were selected for all four years of high school. Ben Ahlers and Brian Murmann both achieved this milestone in 2015.

Several students also earned three years of state recognition. Hamlow is a junior and was selected for the third time this year so he can join the four timed roster next year.

Drees explained that there are a few specific things students need to address as they prepare for the All-State auditions. This includes finding the right tone quality, intonation, rhythm and musicality, which are the four parts in which they are scored.

“Knowledge of music (notes, rhythm, pronunciation of the language) is only a minimum.” he said. “It also needs to focus on beautiful sound, accurate dynamics, expressive musical choices, etc. We help them understand and focus on the four categories they are scored on during the audition.”

Drees said he also has to deal with the difficult task of students not being selected, but he tries to focus on the positives when students are not on the list.

“This is always difficult” he said. “The hardest part of this process is that so much of it is so subjective. Due to the large number of students auditioning during a single day, there are six different vocal “centers” where auditions take place. That means students sing for different judges, in different rooms, at different times of the day, each with a different set of students from other schools auditioning at that centre.”

Students also face the stress of whether or not they will get a call back during auditions. Drees said students can get a callback and then not get selected, and some students don’t get a callback and then get selected.

Madge Hensely, Jayden Lennon, Camila Lopes and Aidan Russell received call-backs, with Lennon and Hensley selected as alternates.

“There are so many things that are out of our control, so it’s hard to know if it would have been successful in another center.” Drees said, “At the end of the day, it is most important to remind students how much they have grown as individual musicians and singers by completing this process, and that the process and personal growth far outweighs the potential outcome. It’s hard to remember that when you feel rejected or left out, but that’s what we always try to remind students.”

Rodriguez, who has been all-state twice, said he had mixed emotions after the results were posted.

“It was great, but I was really disappointed for everyone else who didn’t make it,” she said. “I saw the list and saw that some of my friends didn’t make it. It was upsetting because they are very good singers.”

Rodriguez, who was the No. 1 player on the girls tennis team last spring, compared the pressure to what athletes face.

“The best is when you go to a camp and you learn everything, but you still have to take the time to make sure everything is at its best that day.” she added. “Some people say it’s the most stressful day of the year. The system is set up to be very stressful for everyone involved.”

The 2024 festival will celebrate the 78th anniversary of this prestigious event. Audition sites included LeMars, Hampton, Independence, Atlantic, Indianola and Washington. The state band includes 276 students, the state orchestra is 214 and the state choir is 601 singers.

The State Music Festival concert will be held at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 23 at the Hilton Coliseum in Ames. Together with the choir, state selections in the orchestra and band will also perform.

All tickets to the show are digital and can be purchased on the Ticketmaster website. Tickets are $30 plus tax and all seats are reserved.