Two Malad High School students were selected for Idaho’s All-State Choirs, which convened January 31 – February 3 at Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa. Natalie Webster performed in the Mixed Choir, and Madelyn Shaw performed in the Treble Choir. Over 1000 students tried out for the six All-State groups, which included Mixed, Treble, and Jazz Choirs, Jazz and Concert Bands, and Orchestra, with fewer than 300 selected for this prestigious honor.

Dr. Nicole Lamartine, Director of Choirs at Central Washington State University, directed the Mixed Choir. Dr. Edith A Copley, Professor Emeritus at Northern Arizona University, directed the Treble Choir.  The students spent many hours each day learning and rehearsing new songs and skills and then performing several numbers in a grand finale concert.

Mr. Foster Garrett, the band and choir instructor for Malad Middle and High Schools, attended the Idaho Music Educators Conference held at the same time as the All-State Honor Groups.  The school band and choir teachers attended instructional
sessions and assisted with the All-State Groups.

District 5 Performing Arts Clinic

Thirty students from Malad High School were among the hundreds of students from rural Southeastern Idaho who gathered at American Falls High School for District 5’s performing arts day clinic on January 23.  Besides providing instruction about band instruments and band and choir performance techniques, the clinic hosted such classes as African Drumming Circle, Blood and Guts Make-up, and Broadway Dancing and Singing. Band, choir, theater, and dance students learned from expert teachers during the one-day clinic so that they would be able to take new knowledge and skills back to their schools.

BYUI Honor Bands

On January 25 eight Malad Middle School students participated in the Brigham Young University-Idaho Middle School Honor Band. The MMS students were Jade Charles, Lily Coleman, London Hess, Daisy Huckaby, David Leckie, Ella Sperry, William Whipple, and Kayla Wilson. 

Four Malad High School students participated in the Brigham Young University-Idaho High School Honor Band. Attending the two-day event on January 26-27 were Addler Garrett, Curtis Huckaby, Connor Worrell, and Winona Young.

Under the direction of BYUI band instructors, the students learned more about their instruments and rehearsed several numbers, culminating in
evening concerts.