Chorus brings Girls Staters together in new friendships
By Morgan Roberts, Sacajawea Scroll
Girls State chorus kicked off Tuesday evening with its first group practice in Aalfs Auditorium Slagle Hall.
The choir is made up of sopranos, mezzo-sopranos and altos. Vocalists spent the first evening running through respective parts and focusing on the way their voices came together as a whole.
One delegate spoke about her experience with the other girls.
“I really enjoy it personally,” said Autumn Wieseler, a Minneapolis delegate. “You get to meet a lot of new people and learn their personalities which will help you later in life as you have to work with people you don’t know.”
Ethel Cooper is the chorus director. As a vocal and instrumental music teacher with 30 years of experience, Cooper is up for the job.
Cooper has been helping with Girls State chorus for 16 years. She is confident in the ability of the girls and excited for their performance.
“I enjoy working with talented girls from all over the state that are willing to share their talent here at Girls State,” said Cooper.
The delegates in the chorus receive a different experience in getting to know each other. Some felt the choir gave them a chance to learn more about the other girls outside of the competition involved in elections.
“When it comes to meeting people from other cities choir is definitely one of the best things you could do,” said Casondra Gerlach, a St. Louis delegate.
Delegates will be singing “Stars and Stripes Forever,” “Spirit of America,” “You Raise Me Up,” “God Bless America” and “Hymn of the Battle Republic.” The songs were chosen to fit the patriotic theme of Girls State and will be performed on Friday as a part of the inauguration ceremony.
“The songs are very energetic and patriotic which is great for Girls State. I don’t know some of them, but that’s good because I am here to learn,” said Dayna Roth from Minneapolis.
The choir contains a mix of experienced members who have been in school choirs for years and girls who have never taken part in anything like it.
For those who have spent a lot of time involved in music this is another opportunity do what they love.
“I’ve always done choir since I was little and I’m an alto, so putting those together and seeing those weird harmonies, I like to do that,” said Baylee Gerber, a Detroit delegate.
The girls will continue practicing their harmonies and making sure everyone is ready until the chorus concert during inauguration on Friday.
