ZMHS Vocal Music Department

by Susan Peterson, Choir Director

Large Group Contest

On Tuesday, February 28th, the Zumbrota-Mazeppa High School Choir performed in the Minnesota State High

School Large Group Contest at Kenyon-Wanamingo High School. The Concert Choir performed “Deo Dicamus

Gratias” by Victor C. Johnson, “Dirait-on” by Morten Lauridsen, and “Walkin’ Down That Glory Road” by Mark

Hayes. The choir received excellent comments from all three judges, including “some lovely vowels,” “nice line

and word stress!,” “nice spinning tone,” and “very focused and expressive.” The choir received an Excellent rating.

The students of the choir also had the chance to listen to choirs from other schools. During this time of listening,

the students had the opportunity to evaluate the other choirs based upon: tone quality, intonation, rhythm,

balance and blend, technique interpretation and musicianship, diction and other performance factors.

Congratulations to the ZMHS Concert Choir for their excellent performance.

The choir was accompanied by Cindy Wilson and directed by Susan Peterson.

Solo/Ensemble Contest

On March 30th, Zumbrota-Mazeppa High School Vocal Music Department hosted the Section 1 Solo/Ensemble

Music Contest. Z-M Vocal students competed very well in this contest.

The following students received a “superior” rating for their vocal solos: Dalton Ludington (baritone), Ben

Knowlton (tenor), Anna Schueler (alto), Jackson Duncan (tenor), Brynn Karstens (soprano), Layla Sjolander (mezzo-

soprano), Taylor Benson (mezzo-soprano), Nathan Horsch (baritone), Emma Peterson (mezzo-soprano), Maddie

Banks (soprano), Claudia Gunhus (alto), Suzanna Bryant (alto), Emily Haugen (soprano), Justine Cash (alto) Brynn

Karstens (soprano), and Alex Moreno (tenor).

Vocal ensembles receiving “superior” ratings were and Anna Schueler, Brynn Karstens, Layla Sjolander and Maggie

Gunhus (vocal quartet), Maggie Gunhus and Ben Knowlton (vocal duet), Maddie Banks, Emily Haugen, and Ben

Knowlton (vocal trio), Layla Sjolander and Dalton Ludington (vocal duet) and Girls Group: Brynn Karstens, Kallie

Alders, Emily Haugen, Maddie Banks, Layla Sjolander, Anna Schueler, Ashlynn Taft, Greta Gartner, and Gabi

Hinrichs (vocal ensemble).

Earning “excellent” ratings were these soloists: Katy Gerlemena (alto), Cooper Utley (baritone), Alex Jacobson

(tenor), Ashlynn Taft (alto), Briana Dose (soprano), Kallie Alders (soprano), and Naomi Downes (soprano).

Zumbrota-Mazeppa is extremely proud of all the students who participated in this year’s competition.

In addition, a thank you must go out to our awesome accompanists: Greta Gartner, Cindy Wilson, and Susan

Peterson. Vocalists are taught by Susan Peterson.

Solo/Ensemble Participants

Choir Trip

The Zumbrota Mazeppa High School choir took a fantastic trip to Nashville, Tennessee! We left on Wednesday,

March 15th and returned on Sunday, March 19th. We left the ZM High School at about 7:00 PM and after a 12-hour

bus ride, we arrived in Memphis.

Day 1: Thursday, March 16th

After our long bus ride, we arrived at a McDonalds in Memphis. The whole choir ate and changed there at about

8:00 AM. Once everyone had eaten and changed, we departed for Graceland,

the home of Elvis Presley. Once there, we got to take a tour of most of the

mansion property. It was very surreal seeing where the “King of Rock” lived.

There were so many cool things there like a room full of TV’s, a racquet-ball

facility, and by far the coolest room, the jungle room. The jungle room was full

of jungle-looking items including jungle themed chairs and a small waterfall.

After the tour of the Graceland property, we returned to the tourist center to

sing. After the fun of Graceland, we went to Beale Street in Memphis. There

students ate and shopped for about an hour. After Beale Street, the choir

departed for Nashville. The bus ride was about three more hours, but we

eventually arrived in Nashville at our hotel for the evening. We were able to

have supper and time with our friends in our rooms and in the indoor/outdoor swimming pool.

Day 2: Friday, March 17th

We had breakfast in our hotel and, by 8:00 am, we were on our way to Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of

Music for a choir clinic with Tucker Biddlecombe. Mr. Biddlecombe had enormous insight on music and how he

works with the students he teaches. He was very funny and had many great comments to share with us. After the

choir clinic, we went on a two-hour city tour of Nashville. It was cool to see the sites around the city. We saw

celebrities’ homes, such as Martina McBride, Reese Witherspoon, and Ronnie Milsap. When the tour was over, we

visited at the Country Music Hall of Fame. There we ate, shopped, and toured the museum. It was great to see all

the records along the wall the from the country music artists. There was a lot of clothing, song writing

Outside Graceland

manuscripts, and items from all kinds of country artists. Even Elvis Presley’s gold Cadillac was there. From the

Country Music Hall of Fame we went off to tour the legendary Studio B where Elvis, the Beatles and many other

artists have recorded. At Studio B, we recorded two of our choir songs, which was an amazing experience. Some

students that take piano lessons were able to play on the grand piano that Elvis played. After Studio B, we went

back to the hotel for supper and, at 6:15, we departed for a show at the Grand Ole Opry. At the Grand Ole Opry,

we were able to see artists both new and old on stage performing. It was really exciting to see new and old

country in the same concert with artists such as Mickey Gilley, Michael Tyler, Riders in the Sky, Carly Pearce, mike

Snider, Jeannie Seely, The Whites, The Swon Brothers, Bobby Osborne and the Rocky Top X-Press, Ricky Skaggs,

and John Berry.

Day 3: Saturday, March 18th

After breakfast, we headed to The Hermitage—the home of the 7th President of the United States, Andrew

Jackson. We toured the museum, his house, the cabins of his slaves, and his property around the house. There

was an event taking place at the War of 1812 Military Encampment honoring General Jackson’s 250th birthday. We

were able to experience an authentic recreation of a militia encampment during the War of 1812. Featuring over

150 costumed interpreters organized by the United States 7th Infantry Living History Association, we were able to

wander through the rows of canvas tents and experience a wide variety of people and activities. We spoke with

Tennessee Militia recruits about their experiences, heard from Native American allies about their complex

relationships with the United States and rival nations, listened to famous historical figures (including the General

himself!) giving political speeches in the Tavern, watched craftsmen at work, spoke with Tennessee women about

their lives, and experienced drilling exercises. We had lunch in downtown Nashville at the Wildhorse Saloon. We

were able to play pool, foosball, and listen to live country music. The whole choir and most of the chaperones

received country line dance lessons. It was a blast! After that, we walked to the Ryman Auditorium where we

performed some of our acapella songs from the balcony area and toured the former home of the Grand Ole

Opry. We took the bus to the new home of Grand Ole Opry where we had a backstage tour. After that, we quickly

toured the Opryland Hotel, which is full of gardens and waterfalls, and changed clothes for the Andrew Jackson

Showboat Dinner Cruise. The Andrew Jackson Showboat Dinner Cruise was a highlight for most of us. We received

an elegant meal, were able to see Nashville at night from the boat tour, and watched the “Nashville Nights” show

from our tables on the boat. It was a great day!

Day 4: Sunday, March 19th

It was time to head back home!

We want to say a special thank you to the ZM School Board and administration for your continued support of

Zumbrota-Mazeppa music department. We also want to say a big thank you to the Zumbrota-Mazeppa Education

Foundation for sponsoring the Studio B recording session and the Wildhorse Saloon buffet and experience. They

were definitely once in a lifetime experiences—thank you. Finally, we would like to thank the ZM Choir parents,

friends, and community for your support of our vocal music education. We could not have done it without you!

HS Choir at Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN working with Tucker Biddlecomb.

Choir students outside Andrew Jackson's Hermitage