Meet the Vocal All-Staters
Six AHS students will raise their voices along with the best singers in the state on Saturday at the All-State Music Festival in Ames. Meet the students who will represent Atlantic.
Sophomore Max Elwood sang a solo for Solo and Ensamble Contest and received a division I rating.
November 18, 2015
Favorite song: “Baba Yetu” because it’s very energetic and super fun to sing and listen to What were you thinking while waiting for the audition results? I took a nap so I wouldn’t have time to think about it.
What emotions were you feeling when you found out that you made it? It was really nerve-wracking leading up to them being posted, so it was a lot of relief and excitement and processing it all.
Times participating in All-State? Second time, I made it my junior year as well.
What are you looking forward to the most about All-State? Meeting new people at the concert and experiencing all the music we’ve been working so hard on in that amazing group.
Favorite song: “O Filii et Filiae”
What were you thinking while waiting for the results of who was accepted or not? I was under the impression that I hadn’t made it, but I felt strong about my audition and still had the slightest hope that I had made it outright.
What emotions were you feeling when you found out that you made it? I was overjoyed, and since the whole entire process was an overwhelming emotional roller coaster, I was crying tears of joy. Looking around, watching everyone happy and or sad, and then a parade of hugs and smiles just overcame me.
Times participating in All-State? first time
What are you looking forward to the most about All-State? Even if you don’t make it, you still really become a better musician as a whole, and a more confident singer. When you are in that room with a judge watching you, you have to step up and not let it phase you. Before that, you have to really focus on practicing which is a good incentive. It’s a great experience, and you learn knew things every time you practice. Always improving towards excellence. You don’t try out for the judges, or the teacher, you try out and do your best. That’s what’s fun.
Favorite song: My favorite song is probably Hello by Adele Because who doesn’t love that song really?
What were you thinking while waiting for the results of who was accepted or not? I was almost sure that I didn’t make it because I was a freshman and didn’t have as much experience and talent as a lot of the people I saw.
Times participating in All-State: First time
What are you looking forward to the most about All-State? I’m looking forward to spending time with my friends there and just the experience of being around all of these crazy talented people, and making gorgeous music.
Favorite Song: My favorite song is I will lift mine eyes because through the whole song the quartet of SMAA that I was in (lead by Sarah M), sang so beautifully and placed so much emotion in it that at the moment we sang that spot it just felt like we were together as a family.
What were you thinking while waiting for the results of who was accepted or not? After last year I learned that the best thing to do is set your expectations at its lowest point. By making yourself feel like there is no chance of you making it and being there for others instead of yourself you can calm down and keep your emotions in check. This also helps with coping with not making it, but on the other side of it if you do make it it’s a present surprise when you see your name on the paper. So it works best all around to cut yourself out of the equation and be there for others.
What emotions were you feeling when you found out that you made it? At the time I saw my name I was happy but not calm because the bass list had yet to be dropped and the soprano list and alto list had already been dropped so we already knew that three out of the four people in the quartet made it. This left Austeen waiting for his name to be dropped and out of all the people that tried out I’m sure everyone can agree Austeen was the one they were routing for. And after he made it too we all were so happy it felt like a dream. Having a full quartet make it out right is unheard of in small schools so we felt amazing. The other side of the emotions is an uglier one, while celebrating we have to keep in mind those who worked just as hard and even harder than we did to make it but didn’t. People had their emotions crushed that day and we have to keep that in our hearts before we can be happy. So much dedication is spent to the day of all state and you only have one shot to show the judge why you deserve to make it, and sometimes that one shot doesn’t go as planned and then your chance is over. So the feeling of not making it is heavy and soul crushing and we have to be there for our friends while they go through that.
Times participating in All-State: First year
What are you looking forward to the most about All-State? The best part of all state is being able to be there with the people that i started with. Having a full quartet go is the nicest thing we could ask for because we started the journey with these people and we are going to end it with the same people but now we are a family. I love SMAA.
Favorite song: My favorite song would be O filii et filiae blue because it’s the only song that gives me goosebumps. In a good way though.
What were you thinking while waiting for the results of who was accepted or not? It was very mind blowing. I didn’t think I was capable of making it. I guess I just need to believe in myself more.
What emotions were you feeling when you found out that you made it? I was very nervous. I really worried more for my group. I at least wanted all of them to make it if I didn’t. We all worked really hard for it.
Times participating in All-State: First year
What are you looking forward to the most about All-State? Meeting other good singers, making new friends and just the fact that I’m going to be performing with a really big awesome choir in front of a really big crowd.
Favorite song: My favorite All-State song to hear is Make our Garden Grow because it’s beautiful and high C’s are my jam.
What were you thinking while waiting for the results of who was accepted? After not being recalled I was very nervous, I went and changed clothes and just layed down and tried not to think about it.
What emotions were you feeling when you found out that you were accepted? Incredibly happy, especially seeing my whole quartet making it. We all worked so hard and to be able to see it pay off for all of them as well as me was amazing.
Times participating in All-State: second year
What are you looking forward to the most about All-State? The entire All-State experience is so great, there’s nothing like it. I am so excited to experience everything with my quartet!
