Lakeland Mirror

Issue date: 1/31/08 Section: Arts & Entertainment

Front Row (Left to Right): Nick Nelson, Holly Zelinski, Emily Rendall, Markus Savaglio. Middle Row: April Wasmer, Brittany Wierzbach, Janet Herrick-Stuczynski, Clarissa Dimel, Crystal Iverson, Cody Linder, Chris Grotegut, David Geitner Jr. Back Row: Aaron Kraemer, Ben Lutter, Dr. Robert A. Harris, Chris Wray.

From Jan. 9-11, 14 Lakeland students participated in this year's Collegiate All-State Choir in Madison. They performed a concert during a convention for the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association.

"It was a great experience for the students to be a part of," said Janet Herrick-Stuczynski, associate professor of music and director of college choirs. "A total of 91 students participated and there were 14 from Lakeland, so we had a good representation from Lakeland College."

Herrick not only got to see her students participate; she also put everything together for the choir.

"This was my first year as head of the choir. The state asked me after last year's convention to do it because they noticed my students' work ethic and they were rather impressed," said Herrick. "Crystal [Iverson] and April [Wasmer] were a big help, especially with registration for the event."

"When they asked me if I could do it, I said I would do it under one condition: get Dr. Robert A. Harris to conduct the choir," said Herrick. "I studied with him at Northwestern University about 21 years ago and he was an amazing teacher. I learned a lot from him."

At Herrick's wish, Harris of Northwestern University served as this year's guest conductor for the choir. "He was a great conductor. I liked him a lot," said senior Iverson.

Harris used each song as an educational tool. He seized the opportunity to teach something in every song they performed. "I use tactics that he taught me. During a part of one of the songs he told the students to put a 'skull and crossbones' there. At that same exact time, 14 heads whipped their heads and looked at me. Now they know where I got that teaching method from," said Herrick.

The choir performed songs such as "Oh How Can I keep From Singing?" "Good Ale," "The Dream Isaiah Saw" and several others.

"They sounded so great when they performed," said Herrick. "It was the greatest choir I've ever heard."

Herrick is pleased with the outcome of this year's choir and is looking forward to returning next year as the head of the Collegiate All-State Choir.

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