By Lorna Mitson

Last week, two Ambrose students took part in the All State honor groups at the Idaho Music Educator Association’s (IMEA) conference. Four students submitted recorded auditions last fall, three were selected, and two were able to go. It was a fun-filled time of music, food, friends, and even some recreation.

Brynn Crownover was part of the inaugural Middle School Honor Choir. She was hesitant to audition for something that seemed so serious, but is glad she did. She writes, ”The experience was extraordinary! I was able to spread smiles and giggly laughter with my new-made friends, along with the Word of our Lord. The performance and rehearsals were not nearly as formal as I anticipated. The director was encouraging, not strict like you might think, but fun and loose. The exquisite music we sang aroused a little spark in my heart, and an extensive love for more grand psalms of praise to glorify our Almighty Father.”

The choir performance on Friday was incredible! Well, with one small exception . . . the fire alarm went off during the concert and the building was evacuated. Almost an hour later, we were allowed to return to enjoy the concert. It was worth the wait.

Channing Mitson was in the High School Honors Symphony Orchestra. She shares, “This year I got to play two amazing musical compositions and work under the conductor of the Chicago Youth Symphony. I made new friends and hung out with some old ones. We shared music and food and a lot of selfies. I even had the opportunity to share my faith. All State is a huge growing experience and I continue to be inspired by how beautiful music can be.”

Mr. Bryant commented about the final concert, “As I listened to the honor orchestra’s transcendent final cadences of ‘Capriccio Espagnole,’ I couldn’t help thinking how amazing it is–how jaw-droppingly unfathomable it is–to have been made in the image of God, and to have had that reality demonstrated so profoundly by those brilliant young musicians.”

Mr. Bryant and Mrs. Kapsoff were there thanks to the Teacher Benefits Annual Fund. Mr. Bryant shares, “Attending the conference reinvigorated my desire to see our music program take its place in Idaho’s top tier of high school accomplishment.” Mrs. Kapsoff echoes this sentiment, “It was like having a sneak preview of our own potential. It motivated me to expect more from not only myself but from the Ambrose community and administration as well. Now is the time to increase our efforts by purposefully dedicating the resources to reach that level of excellence. I look forward to the future of our music program.”

Experiences like these inspire young musicians and some will pursue music full-time. But even for those who aspire to other callings, colleges and universities often offer scholarships to qualified musicians regardless of major.

The next All State IMEA conference will be November 17-19, 2016 at NNU in Nampa. Talk to your music director about submitting an audition this Spring.