Fine Arts- Chorus & Orchestra Awards

Fine Arts
Chorus & Orchestra - Awards

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4 year or more all-state choir/orchestra participants Click on name to hear interview
Kari Anderson 4-yr All-state Cello SF Washington	Chad Hearnen 4-yr All-state Choir Conde		Neal Minton 4-yr All-state Violin RC Stevens
Matt Mayer 4-yr All-state Choir Doland	Chris Deidrich 4-yr All-state Violin RC Stevens		Andy Thomas 5-yr All-state Choir Conde
Stephanie Fix 4-yr All-state Choir Cresbard		Jessica Serfling 4-yr All-state Choir Cresbard
Conor Jensen , Beresford Tara Kehn, Bonesteel/Fairfax Scott Stahl, Bridgewater John Meyer, Brookings Austin Nielsen, Castlewood Adam Rudebusch, Castlewood Andrew Boerema, Dell Rapids Roger Kienast, Dell Rapids Austin Hoffman, Eureka Miriam Warner, Flandreau Megan Borchert, Harrisburg Andrew Ling, Harrisburg John Boehnke, Henry Joe Martenson. Henry Preston Huber, Herreid Casey Tollefson, Hitchcock Josh Tonsager, Huron		Nick Poppens, Lennox Jesse Comp, Leola Emily Schmeichel, McLaughlin Joel Tjarks, Mitchell Cameryn Christion, Parker Jon Romans, Pollack Kraig Kronaizl, Scotland Jessica Jacobs, Spearfish Sabrina Uttecht, Sturgis Sharla Krogman, Todd County/Mission Betsy Heiberger, Tri-Valley/Colton Grant Andrews, Wall Darin Wiedebush, Warner Chad Papke, Warner Tara DeJong, Winner Aaron Boomsma, Wolsey

Diane Ketel, Lois and Paul Hedge, Mark Greguson
and Gloria Brandt Harrison

Alan Stanga

SDMEA Outstanding Administrator Award
Mark Greguson, Chester

Mark Greguson graduated from Centerville High School in 1968 and received a Bachelor of Science degree from USD in 1973 along with a Master’s Degree in Administration in 1982 from USD and a Specialist’s degree in 1995, also from USD. Greguson taught in the public schools in Iroquois, Lake Preston, and Lennox from 1973-1982 before becoming Secondary Principal in Garretson from 1983-1992. In 1993 he accepted the position of Secondary Principal in the Chester Area Schools and became the Superintendent at Chester in 1996, a position he currently holds.

Mr. Greguson was nominated by the music faculty in the Chester Area Schools because of his loyalty and dedication to music education. Mark participated in the All State Chorus in 1968.

SDMEA Distinguished Service to Music Award
Paul and Lois Hedge

Paul and Lois Hedge are the founders and directors of Rushmore Music Camp which has been held at Camp Judson near Keystone for the past 33 years. It was established primarily as a band camp, but also emphasized choral activities to promote well rounded musicians.

Paul and Lois purchased a music store in Powell, WY, in 1975 and added another, Hedge Music in Worland, WY in 1980. They continued in the music business for 25 years, but also spent many hours each year preparing for Rushmore Music Camp and directing camps for two weeks each summer. H.S. Rushmore Music Camp is a S.D. non-profit corporation.

Paul served two years as vice president and two years as president of South Dakota Bandmasters Association.

Diane Ketel

Diane Ketel graduated from Dakota Wesleyan University in 1962 and received a Master’s degree in music from the University of Oregon in 1967 while studying under Francis Bittner. She has also had formal training at the Chautauqua Summer Institute and the Suzuki Piano Institute.

Diane is a very active piano teacher and soloist in the Black Hills area. She has performed and been a soloist with the Black Hills Symphony, and has been accompanist for many events such as region music contests, the Black Hills Suzuki School, and other local and regional competitions. More importantly, she has served as the accompanist for the All-State Chorus when the event is held in Rapid City. Diane has also held offices in the Black Hills Chamber Music Society and the Black Hills MTNA.

Gloria Brandt Harrison

Gloria Brandt Harrison graduated from Florence High School in 1965. She received her BA in vocal performance from Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, SD in 1969. Just recently retired in May, 2003, Gloria taught in Rapid City for 28 years. She developed and directed the South Dakota Ambassador of Excellence choral group who performed for the 8th World Conference for the Talented and Gifted in Sydney, Australia in 1989.

Under Mrs. Harrison's direction, the Rapid City Children's Chorus has had audition tapes selected for SDACDA, SD-MEA, North Central ACDA, North Central MEA and the 1993 National ACDA Convention. The chorus performed and participated in America Sings! Inc. in Washington, DC, in 1989. The choir participated in the Pacific Rim Children's Chorus Festival under the direction of Henry Leck in July, 2002. The Rapid City Children's Chorus performed in Carnegie Hall and appeared on the Today Show in 1996, 1999, and this November, 2003.

NFHS Music Association "Outstanding Music Educators" Award
Alan Stanga

Alan Stanga, a 1960 graduate of Augustana college, has been involved with teaching and directing music for more than 40 years. Stanga was the supervisor of vocal music for the Rock Valley Community Schools in Rock Valley, Iowas from 1960 to 1965. In addition, Stanga was the director of choral music at Sioux Falls Lincoln High School from 1967 to 1991, and was the department chair form 1987 to 1991. Stanga then directed choral music at Sioux Falls Roosevelt High School from 1991 to 1999, with a stint as fine arts chair form 1991 to 1997.

During the summer of 1977, Stanga directed a high school choir for the International Eductaion Institute in Exter, England. He also directed and taught at the South Dakota State All-State Music Camp from 1980 to 1987, directed the Mid-Western Ambassadors of Music European Touring Choir from 1985 to 2003, directed festivals in South Dakota and Minnesota, and adjudicated music contests and all state auditions in South Dakota, Minnesota and Montana.

Stanga received the South Dakota High School Activities Association Distinguished Service Award in 2000. He has also received the South Dakota Music Educators Association Distinguished Service to Music Award in 2000 and the South Dakota American Choral Directors Association Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995.

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