The Singing Standafers

Alia and Jackson Standafer are among elite musicians in the state of Wisconsin!  The Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) State Honors Music Project began in 1967 to provide musically talented youth with the opportunity to rehearse and perform with the nation’s finest conductors in a professional and highly disciplined setting.  Alia, through a rigorous 10 minute audition process, was selected from over 1,600 students for the privilege of being one of the 429 students selected for membership in the five prestigious High School State Honors ensembles.  As a member of the Honors Mixed Choir, Alia attended a 3 1/2/ day summer camp in Green Bay with distinguished choral conductor Dr. David Thye.  Dr. Thye is chair of Graduate Conducting at Southwestern Baptist theological Seminary and chorus master of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.   In addition, some of Wisconsin’s finest music teachers volunteer their time as section coaches, coordinators, and administrators of these talented students during the June summer camp and at these October concerts.

The Whitehall School District supports the participation of choral director Krista Kjos, serving her first year as alto section coach with the mixed choir, and Jackie Goplin, completing her 12th year of service having served as flute/oboe section coach, band coordinator, and most recently on the administrative team as Chair of the Honors Project.  The concerts took place in the magnificent Overture Center in Madison at the Wisconsin Music Educators Conference on Thursday, October 27, 2011.  Alia commented,  ”I loved the overall experience of honors, I felt blessed to sing with such talented students and to be conducted by Dr. Thye was truly an honor.  I’ve gained many new friends and enjoyed the gorgeous pieces we sang.”

Jackson Standafer, also after a lengthy audition, was selected to participate in the Wisconsin Middle Level State Honors Choir.  Nearly 1,250 students in grades 6 – 8 auditioned last April for the privilege of being one of the 309 students selected for membership in the three prestigious WSMA Middle Level State Honors ensembles.  Music teachers, parents, administrators and the WSMA staff contribute time, talent and encouragement for every student involved in the Honors Project.  The effort and dedication required of each Honors participant results in a lifelong memory of their initiative, achievement and commitment to excellence as musicians and as our future leaders.

These students met for the first time early Friday morning, October 28, 2011.  They worked all day and into the evening with their conductor and section coaches.  The next morning after final dress rehearsals on Saturday morning, the choir, band and orchestra presented their concerts at 1 p.m. at the Marriott-Madison West convention center.  Conducting the choir was Jayne Glocke of the Penn State School of Music.  She is currently the conductor of the Women’s Chorale and Penn State Campus Choir.  Jackson says “my experience at the WSMA honors project was very exciting.  Although it took countless hours of rehearsal.  The outcome was unforgettable.  Our concert consisted of six songs.  Three of which were written in English, one in German, one an old English language, and one in a native Turkish language.  The songs were very enjoyable, the section leaders were very nice, our piano accompanist was incredibly gifted, and what made the experience most enjoyable was our director, Ms. Jayne Glocke!”