Talented MPHS musicians perform in Ames

MT. PLEASANT — Despite fierce competition, eight Mt. Pleasant High School show they have the chops to perform with the best of the best this week.

Thursday, freshmen Eli Heaton, Isaiah Denning, and Olivia McCormick performed in Ames at the 36th OPUS Honor Choir Festival, held in the C.Y. Stephens Auditorium in the Iowa State Center.

Each student submitted a recorded audition and was selected from 2,100 nominations statewide.

These Mt. Pleasant hold three of only 720 available positions in the four Opus Honor Choirs.

Five other Mt. Pleasant students have been recognized for their outstanding musical abilities.

Juniors Tien Nguyen, Robbie Heaton, Natalie McCormick, and senior Ethan Sexauer perform this weekend at the 2022 All-State Music Festival.

Brandon Burtlow was selected as an alternate for the All-State Chorus.

This is the highest honor available to high school musicians in Iowa. For the sports fans, this is the equivalent of going to the University of Northern Iowa Dome for the state football game.

At district auditions Oct. 22, Sexauer was to participate in the 278-piece All-State Orchestra, and Nguyen, McCormick, and Heaton were selected for the 601-member All-State Chorus.

Of auditioning students, only 17% are selected for this honor.

Remarkably, after auditioning every year, this is Sexauer’s fourth year as a member of the All-State Orchestra.

All-State selectees will spend Friday and Saturday practicing with their select groups and will perform Saturday, Nov. 19 in the evening.

Tickets can still be purchased to enjoy the All-State performances, but must be purchased through Ticketmaster for $25, plus fees.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com