More information on auditions for
Iowa All - State Show Choir 2023 forthcoming.
Mission
Students in the state of Iowa have the opportunity to be a part of a show choir experience on a state-level. The opportunity focuses on the collaborative, communicative, and foundational music ideas involved in show choir. Master teachers and choreographers will share their passion for the art of show choir with the students selected through a comprehensive audition process. All forms of choral art need to be celebrated and highlighted for the next generation of music educators. Promotion of the art of show choir at the state level helps to illustrate the educational value in the extra-curricular or co-curricular music ensembles in Iowa high schools.
Audition Information
RELEASED JANUARY 15 - See pdf, youtube videos, and mp3 - see below.
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ICDA members who teach choral music at an Iowa High School may submit up to:
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5 Sopranos
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5 Altos
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5 Tenors
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5 Basses
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Nomination of up to 10 Show Band members
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Show Band Nomination form: https://forms.gle/XnWe3g2Jdb6vgBaD7
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Show Choir Auditions Link: https://audition.opusevent.com/Default.aspx?n=2683
Eligibility
The following eligibility requirements are for all participating directors and students.
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Each student auditioning for the Iowa All-State Show Choir (vocal and instrumental) must be recommended by his/her director, who must be a member in good standing of ICDA, and the school principal.
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Each student auditioning for the Iowa All-State Show Choir must be a member of his/her school choral program or band program for the show band component and academically eligible to participate in this activity according to the rules of the Iowa High School Music Association. Academic eligibility applies at the time of both auditions, the rehearsals and concert, and membership in the school choral program is assumed until the end of the school year. The school principal and the choral director must certify that all applicants are eligible.
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Upon signing the Iowa All-State Show Choir Acceptance Contract, (given to students upon acceptance) the student agrees to: attend and sing in all rehearsals and the final concert; be responsible for learning and performing all selected music materials, among other things. *If student cancels their participation after July 1, refund will take place except - first deposit ($150) is non-refundable*
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It is the responsibility of the sponsoring director to make sure that students receive their materials and information, are musically prepared, and are aware of financial responsibilities.
Each student selected will be responsible for the cost of their own housing, food, and music, as well as all registration and entry fees, and any transportation needs. Housing will be at Central College in Pella, Iowa. All rehearsals will take place at Central College. No transportation is needed by individual schools. College chaperones will be with the students throughout the entire rehearsal process, as well as in the evenings and during meals. A chaperone or director from each participating school must be "on call" and available - if needed in Pella for an emergency or violation of behavior contract.
Dr. Sarah VanWaardhuizen
All-State Show Choir Chair, ICDA
Sarah Van Waardhuizen is a native of Northeast Iowa and serves the Central College faculty as Assistant Professor of Music Education. She teaches music education methods courses including elementary general music methods, secondary music methods, show choir and jazz choir techniques, and is the current Co-Director for Intersections - a common experience course for first year students. Dr. VW is excited to pilot a new course during the spring of 2022 titled, “Rap, Hip-Hop, and Decolonizing the Classroom” where she empowers students to examine systemic racism in education through the lens of Hip-Hop. Van Waardhuizen earned her undergraduate degree from Drake University (B.M.E.), master’s degree from The University of Kansas (M.M.E. in choral pedagogy), and her Ph.D. from The University of Iowa. Her research interests include motivation in music education and relevance in the current music education classroom. Dr. Van Waardhuizen grew up in the Iowa show choir realm - performing, choreographing, and directing. In 2019, Dr. VW created the Iowa All-State Show Choir and is excited to serve as Iowa All-State Show Choir Chair for the Iowa Choral Directors Association in 2022. Dr. VW serves Iowa Music Educators Association as the Iowa Collegiate NAfME Chair. In their spare time, you may find Dr. VW playing the ukulele, cheering for one of her four busy children, or enjoying a hot cup of coffee.
Timeline
ALL-STATE SHOW CHOIR 2022 TIMELINE
AUDITION SUBMISSIONS EXTENDED THROUGH MAY 6 ON OPUSEVENT.COM
January 15: VOCAL and CHOREOGRAPHY Audition materials released
see www.iowachoral.org - Iowa All-State Show Choir
February 15 - May 6: Audition Submissions on OPUSEVENT.COM,
audition fee per student + processing fee = $40 total per student
Participants are notified of acceptance via email to director and student;
Cost per Show Choir student is $375.00 total - includes lodging, meals, t-shirt, and musical scores
Cost per Show Band student is $200.00 total - includes lodging for Sunday night, meals, t-shirt, and musical scores
May 20: First Deposit of $150.00 is due for accepted students (Show Choir and Show Band) - first deposit is non-refundable*
Payments may be made online (more information to come)
OR
Checks made payable to Iowa Choral Directors Association and sent to:
Sarah Van Waardhuizen
Central College, Music Department
812 University Street
Pella, IA 50219
June 15: Second payment of $125 is due or remainder
July 1: Third payment of $100 is due
*If student cancels their participation after July 1, refund will take place except - first deposit ($150) is non-refundable*
July 22, 4:30 pm: Rehearsals begin at Central College (singers), Pella, IA
July 24, 12 pm: Rehearsals begin at Central College (show band), Pella, IA
July 25, 1 pm: Concert on the Hoekstra Family Stage, Douwstra Auditorium, Central College, Pella, IA
*NOTE: All rehearsals will take place at Central College in 2022. No transportation is needed by individual schools. College chaperones will be with the students throughout the entire rehearsal process, as well as in the evenings and during meals.
Robyn Starks Holcomb
Director
Robyn Starks Holcomb has over 20 years of experience throughout the Midwest as a motivating teacher, musician, actor, choreographer and clinician. The head vocal director at Roosevelt High School in Sioux Falls, SD, Starks Holcomb has been conducting choirs in the high school, middle school and elementary school levels, spanning public and private schools as well as community chorus and church settings throughout her career. Since joining the Roosevelt family in 2011, Starks Holcomb has watched the program grow to twelve choirs serving over 600 singers every day. She is the conductor of Roosevelt High School’s Concert Choir, Executive Chamber, Executive Suite, Melodia, and together with colleagues John Parezo and Randi Van Der Sloot, Mixed Chorus, Freshman Chorus and Unity, Inc. inclusive show choir. Under her direction, Executive Suite was honored to appear this year at the 2019 National ACDA Conference. Also under her direction, the Roosevelt Concert Choir is a 2019 National Finalist for The American Prize Award in Choral Performance, appeared at the 2016 NC-ACDA Regional Conference, and has performed for state and regional conferences, in-services, and by invitation at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. Passionate about programming and repertoire, Starks Holcomb is proud to be a part of a department that engages in relationships with living composers and commissioning new work on an annual basis.
Outside of Roosevelt High School, Starks Holcomb spends time in demand as a guest conductor, adjudicator, clinician, musical director, choreographer for choral festivals, vocal contests, competitions and regional projects. Most recently, she presented at Iowa Choral Directors Association 2019 Summer Symposium and served as a conductor for the Midwest American Honor Choir's 2019 European Tour. Starks Holcomb also spent three weeks in Aix-en-Provence, France, as a selected conducting scholar with the University of Delaware's 2017 Choral Symposium. In 2016, she served as the NC-ACDA Senior High Honor Choir Chair, conducted a Collegiate Honor Choir session for the 2016 NC-ACDA Conference, and is currently the NC-ACDA Senior High R&R Chairperson. She served the SD ACDA as the 2017-2019 Southeast Representative and led a senior high choral reading session at the 2018 combined Central/North Central ACDA conference. Recognition for her choral work and teaching have included: the 2019 CMA Teacher of Excellence Award, 2019 Roosevelt High School Head Director of the Year Award, 2017 Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction Award, 2016 SD ACDA Encore Award, 2015 Sioux Falls Teacher of the Year Nominee, and the 2014 Roosevelt High School Director of the Year and 2013 Positive Impact Awards. Starks Holcomb is currently looking forward to the 2020 honor of directing the ICDA All Iowa Show Choir.
Robyn Starks Holcomb received undergraduate study at Augsburg University, Minneapolis, received her B.M. in vocal music education from the University of MN, Minneapolis and earned an M.A. Ed. from Augustana University, Sioux Falls.
Lexi Robson
Choreographer
Lexi Robson is originally from Ankeny, Iowa. She began dancing at the age of 3 and has lived and performed in Oklahoma City, Dallas, Chicago, and New York City, but currently resides in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Lexi attended Oklahoma City University on scholarship where she graduated with a Bachelor of Performing Arts in Dance Performance.
Since graduation, Lexi has completed two contracts with the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line dancing through the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and the Bahamas on the Navigator of the Seas and as the Dance Captain on the Enchantment of the Seas.
Lexi is a full-time freelance choreographer, clinician, and adjudicator working with over 30 high school and college show choirs across the country and teaching at many performing arts camps. Her groups consistently achieve high placements and have won numerous awards for best choreography, design, and visual effect.
After growing up intensely training and studying the art of dance, Lexi is thrilled to share her passion and knowledge with equally passionate kids and directors all over the country.