In an open church setting with high ceilings and perfect acoustics, the FDSH A Cappella Choir wowed judges and brought home Grand Champion honors as well as Best Bass Section.

“Regardless of the outcome, this trip is always such a fun and meaningful experience for our students,” said Fort Dodge Choir Director Matt Drees. “Winning first place is such a great validation of the hard work and immense passion that our students have for performing high quality choral music.

“I am extremely proud of our students not only for their performance, but for their conduct in representing our school and our community while on the road.”

Fort Dodge, which was entered in the Onalaska Classic in Onalaska, Wisconsin, visited the First Lutheran Church there for the competition.

-Submitted photo
The Fort Dodge A Cappella choir Bass Section poses by the bus after receiving the award for best Bass Section at the Onalaska Classic in Wisconsin on Saturday.

“This trip was so much fun, and such a great opportunity,” said Fort Dodge senior Grace Tolliver. “Not only to grow musically, but to become closer as a group and establish meaningful connections with other members of the choir.”

Each choir performed its music for a panel of judges. The panel tallied up scores and gave written feedback to the groups. The performances were then ranked against other schools participating.

There was also an on-stage clinic, where one of the judges would work with the choir.

Programs from Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin participated.

“Events like this are such a great opportunity for our students to not only get a chance to perform outside of our community, but also to hear and see performances from other high school choirs,” Drees said. “Performing in a beautiful space, listening to other choirs, and receiving critical feedback from respected clinicians makes this such a rich experience for our students.”

-Submitted photo
The Fort Dodge A Cappella choir watches a performance during the Onalaska Classic in Wisconsin on Saturday.

This year’s Dodger group prepared four songs for the event. The FDSH A Capella Choir performed “Psallite” by Michael Praetorious; “Ilus Haal,” arranged by Laura Jekabsone; “There Is No Rose” by Connor Koppin and “Daniel, Daniel Servant of The Lord,” arranged by Undine Moore.

Forty one Dodger A Capella members attend the trip.

“For an event like this, I really try to create a program that is diverse,” Drees said. “With this set we’ve got a variety of time period, language, and style as well as music from both male and female composers/arrangers.

“This is all music from our first two concerts of the year that we have continued to polish during class for this event.”

Senior Aaron Amhof was making his first trip to Wisconsin for the competition. He enjoyed every minute of the event and the journey.

“This was my first time going to Onalaska and it was such an amazing experience,” Amhof said. “Getting to perform with such a talented group of people and being named Grand Champion is something that I will always remember.”