By: Julie Johansen
Honor choir students from Canyon View, Helper, Mont Harmon and San Rafael junior high schools performed at Emery High School Auditorium Thursday evening.
These students were privileged to be taught by guest clinician, Dr. Steve Meredith. Dr. Meredith is an assistant professor of music at Southern Utah University, where he is the director of choral activities and music technology. Dr. Meredith received his B.M. and M.M. degrees from the University of Utah in choral music education, and his D.M.A. in choral music from Arizona State University.
The evening began with eight numbers from the recent solo and ensemble festival presented to the large crowd. Soloists included Dallin Nelson and Alexis Johnson from Mont Harmon Middle School, Jamie Hapsmith and Lily Smith from Helper Middle school, Keldan Guymon and Brooklyn Potter from Canyon View Junior High and Kadee Deto from San Rafael Junior High. A small ensemble also from San Rafael Junior High featured McRay Duncan, Shaidyn Killpack, Korby Christiansen and Drake Weber.
The honor choir then sang “Lirum,Lirum” featuring Tia Hulse on the drum, followed by an arrangement entitled “How Can I Keep from Singing.” The girls honor choir then sang “The Maiden” and the boys honor choir favored all with “The Flying Dutchman.” “Shut De Do” was presented by the choir with soloists Madison McCandless, Deto, Brynnie Urie, Nellie Heaton, Parker Stilson, Guymon and Potter. Featured on percussion were Austin Albrecht, Ethan Anderson and Tia Hulse. Jesse Braun was on bass. The concluding selection was an arrangement by Dr. Meredtih entitled “Siyahamba,” a traditional South African folksong with Albrecht on the shaker.
