Two Milbank High School mixed vocal quartets (Sopranos – Veronica Fonder/Nadia Thue; Altos – Hope Karels/Stella Wendland; Tenors – Nick Fonder/Sam Shelstad; Basses – James Batchelor/Bryan Meyer) and two violinists (Joe and Rachel Schulte-4 Year Orchestra Members) joined nearly 1000 voices and a full symphony orchestra under the direction of Ryan Person, Morningside University, Iowa and Dr. Mark Laycock of Wichita State University, Kansas for the 71st Annual South Dakota All-State Chorus and Orchestra on October 27-28, 2023. The Summit Arena-The Monument served as the rehearsal and performance venue for the Grand Concert, which was broadcast live Saturday evening, October 28, at 7:00 p.m. MT on South Dakota Public Television.
The orchestra concert selections included "Overture to the Cowboys” by John Williams, "Into the Blue" by Ingrid Stolzl, and "The Planets: Mvt. 1-Mars & Mtv. 4-Jupiter” by Gustav Holst. The combined orchestra and chorus selections are: Star Spangled Banner, "Examine Me” by Cedric Dent, and “Cindy” arranged by Mack Wilberg.
The vocal selections included: “Splendor” from Illuminare by Elaine Hagenberg, “Moonlight and Rain” by Kevin A. Memley, “Papa Loko” arranged by Sten Kallman, “Fire” by Katerina Gimon, and “O Salutaris Hostia” by Pierre De La Rue.
