NORFOLK, NE – A number of the region’s top high school musicians and vocalists had the opportunity to shine this week through an honors program at Northeast Community College. The approximately 80 students from 18 schools participated in the inaugural HAWKFEST, a daylong rehearsal that was capped off by a public performance in the College’s Lifelong Learning Center.
The 46-member honor band was under the direction of Kevin McLouth, director of instrumental studies at Northeast, while the approximately 30-member honor choir was led by Stewart Cramer, Northeast’s director of vocal activities.
Margaret Schultz, music instructor/accompanist at Northeast, served as HAWKFEST manager.
McLouth said the students earned entrance to HAWKFEST through an audition process. He was pleased with how they performed.
“The kids really worked hard, came together and performed like champions. Everyone learned a lot today and I think they had a little fun also,” he said.
Participating high schools included Battle Creek, Columbus Lakeview, Creighton, Elkhorn Valley, Neligh-Oakdale, Norfolk Senior High, O’Neill High, Osmond, Orchard, Pender, Pierce, Plainview, Randolph,
St. Edward, Shelby-Rising City, Wakefield and Winside.
Honor Band members are Hanna Maslonka, Battle Creek; Kyler Adams, Samantha Crockett, Anthony Morrill, Makayla Shonebarger, and Hayley Smith, Creighton; Addison Schneider, Humphrey; Dani Beyer, Emma Bixler, Hailey Bixler, Griffin Claussen, Jorden Fulsaas, Adan Schindler, Trey Svatos, Parker Tinsley, and Meredith Wiseman, Neligh-Oakdale; Mason Dover, Jacob Rusk, Luke Sours, and Kynee Tecson, Norfolk; Maddie Hohbein, and Christopher Jennings, O’Neill; Anthony Morino, and Nalleli Zermeno, Orchard; Diandra Polt, Shyann Rohloff, and Connor Von Rentzell, Osmond; Alexis Bodlak, Jessica Krueger, and Caleb Trimble, Pender; Zane Gleason, Klarissa Norris, Jacob Pedersen, and Mark Venteicher, Pierce; Kaydi Daudt, and Becca Kment, Plainview; Jenna Albers, Anton Feyerherm, Emmalee Harder, Shannon Haselhorst, Tyson Junck, and Lilly Umberger, Randolph; Dylan Voss, Shelby-Rising City; Alex Carson, Toby Henemann, and Edward Orlander, Winside.
Honor Choir members include Karlie Alder, and Amber Loutzenhiser, Battle Creek; Isaac Aguilera, Emily Cunningham, Maggie French, Emilee Price, Paxton Lusche, Halla Pachold, Maddingly Splittgerber, and
Ethan Goldfish Vinson, Columbus Lakeview;
Mitchell Peterson, Angel Qualset, Amaya Smith, and Christian Yaw, Elkhorn Valley; Ethan Gregory, Sadie Heckert, Isiac Kurpgeweit, Trinity Kurpgeweit, and Cade Wilkinson, Neligh-Oakdale; Kaci Wickersham, Orchard; Holly Jensen, Osmond; A.J. Blickenstaff, Baylie Shearer, and Gabe Wortman, Randolph; Keean Cruise, and Sophie Reeves, St. Edward; Oscar Canizales, Sahrai Luna, and Emma Rapper, Wakefield; and Jayden Fuchs, Winside.
HAWKFEST is a joint effort between the College and the Northeast Area Jazz Ensemble (NAJE). A performing ensemble and nonprofit organization, NAJE was formed by the late Dr. Jim Boullion to help promote music in northeast Nebraska.
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PHOTO CUTLINE
Kevin McLouth, director of instrumental studies at Northeast Community College, directs members of the HAWKFEST Honor Band during a public performance at the College recently. Forty-six musicians and 30 vocalists participated in the inaugural event that included a day of rehearsals followed by a public performance.