Students prepare for All-State Choir auditions

All-State Choir is the top audition choir for high school singers across Iowa. This year, Bettendorf High School has several students auditioning for a spot.

Alex Obert, a senior, is auditioning as a tenor for the third time this fall. Of his three attempts, he has successfully made All-State once, but is eager to try again. Obert enjoys the All-State audition process because, “it makes me a better musician,” Obert said.

Obert received his audition music in the summer and had to make it through a pre-audition to move forward. Now, he is a member of an assigned small group of other auditioning students that were put together for blend by their vocal director, Andrea Cooper. Obert’s group includes Ava Rowland, Jack Cockayne and Katelyn Skillett.

“I’ve enjoyed the music more this year than other years. My group has a good blend and I’m happy with how it sounds,” Obert said.

The songs the group will be performing include ”Os Justi” by Bruckner, “Regina Coeli” by Mozart, “The Heavens Flock” by Eriks Esenvalds, “Afternoon On A Hill” by Stephen Paulus, “Battle Hymn of The Republic” by William Steffe, “America the Beautiful” by Samuel A. Ward.

The group meets twice during pride throughout the week and again outside of school. They spend over a month preparing together and will audition on October 26, 2019 at Washington High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

“I definitely think more people should try auditioning for All-State because Bettendorf could always use more singers,” Obert said.

Alex Obert sings through his music to perfect notes.