And the Stars Sang December 17, 2015

 UPDATE:  What incredible performances!  Overflowing crowds for both shows - and the musicians rose to the occasion.  I am so, so proud of everyone.  Check out this link for more photos by Pete Sauer: Holiday Concert 2015
The Glacier High School Music Department will present “And the Stars Sang” on Thursday, December 17 at 4 pm and 7 pm in the Glacier High School Performance Hall.  The Glacier High School Choirs under the direction of Sandee Sauer and the Glacier High School Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Sherry Simmons will join together in a festive collaboration of holiday music. 

Over 200 Glacier High School musicians will perform an amazing selection of songs that are sure to get everyone in the holiday spirit. The audience will enjoy beautiful arrangements of fresh new holiday works as well as perennial favorites, such as “White Christmas,” “Up On a Housetop,” and “We Three Kings.”

The program will open with all the musicians coming together in a wonderful rendition of Joseph Martin’s “Joy to the World” from the Morning Star cantata and will close with a rousing performance of the “Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's Messiah. Glacier High School choir alumni are invited to join the musicians on stage for this beautiful and exciting holiday tradition.

UM High School All-Star Honor Choir 2016

Congratulations to Alicia Bernhardt who was chosen to perform in the Honor Choirs!  The All-Star Mixed Choir will be under the direction of Alan Raines and David Edmonds will conduct the All-Star Women's Choir. 

Fruit Sale 2015

Thank you to all of the people in the Flathead Valley who purchased fruit from the Glacier High School Music Department.  You are very much appreciated!!

AA Choir Festival - Missoula - November 16 & 17, 2015

The Concert Choir traveled to Missoula and had a wonderful festival under the direction of Dr. Kirk Amotte from Montana State University.  Students from Sentinel, Big Sky, Hellgate, Helena High and Glacier combined to present an amazing concert. Click on this link for more photos: AA 2015

Dr. Edmonds pays a visit

Dr. Edmonds, from the University of Montana, spent the morning working with the Advanced Women's Choir, Concert Choir and Glacier Echoes.  We all thoroughly enjoyed his visit and the girls learned to sing "Edmond's Style." Thank you, Dr. Edmonds!

All-Northwest Honor Choir 2016

Congratulations! In the Northwest Division of ACDA, which covers six states, there are tens of thousands of eligible singers in ACDA member choirs.  Out of all of those singers, the following have been selected to represent our choir, town, state and our division!  What an incredible accomplishment! Alicia Bernhardt, Ben Bridwell, Jack Desmul, Adam Habel, Isabelle Lyon, Nathan MacGregor, Silas Schwarz, Emmett Van Allen and Alec Willis

A gift for the Echoes

A huge thank you to ELM Software Solutions for providing embroidered bags to the Echoes!

Glacier High School Concert Choir - Let Everything That Hath Breath - October 2015

Glacier Echoes - Counting Music - October 2015

Glacier Echoes - Just Haven't Met You Yet - October 2015

All-State 2015

I am so proud of the Montana All-State Choir, particularly the Glacier High School members!

Fall Concert October 20, 2015

UPDATE:  THE CONCERT WAS FABULOUS!  I AM SO PROUD OF OUR CHOIRS!  CHECK OUT THIS LINK FOR PHOT0S by Pete Sauer Fall Concert 2015

The Glacier High School Choral Department will present “Come Travel With Me” Tuesday, October 20 at 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm in the Glacier High School Performance Hall.

The concert will open with all of the choirs on stage for an exciting performance of an African celebration entitled “Jabula Jesu.’’  The melody is based on a Zulu folk song.  The Glacier Girls will continue the concert with “Dry Your Tears, Afrika” sung in the Mende language.  The select women’s ensemble, Glacier Breeze, will change the pace with an arrangement of the jazz classic, “Tuxedo Junction.” The Glacier Men will continue the travel theme with the 1960’s hit “Five Hundred Miles.” The Glacier Echoes will present a variety of selections including “Hernando’s Hideaway” and Michael Buble’s “Haven’t Met You Yet.” The hauntingly beautiful “Famine Song” will be performed by the Advanced Women’s Choir.

The Glacier Concert Choir and the Flathead Concert Choir will combine for the grand finale of the evening concert.  “It is so exciting to work with Flathead’s director, Jennifer Stephens, and her talented students.  The audience is in for a treat,” says Sandee Sauer, the Glacier High School Choir Director.

Glacier Echoes and the Special Olympics

The Glacier Echoes were honored to perform the National Anthem for the Special Olympics Basketball Tournament.

GHS Choir Men Perform

Our GHS Men combined with FHS Men and KMS Men for a rousing performance of "Hurling Down the Pine." Thanks for the invitation Tracy Snipstead and Kalispell Middle School!

Flathead High School Concert Choir comes to visit!

It was so much fun joining forces with Jennifer Stephens and the Flathead High School Concert Choir! Looking forward to our performances on October 12 and October 20.

Concert Choir Retreat 2015

The first annual Concert Choir Retreat was a success!  Thank you for all of your hard work Abby and Nathan.

Spirit Week 2015

Glacier Choirs showing their school spirit! Check out the photos through this link:Spirit Week 2015

Welcome Class of 2019!

The Glacier Echoes welcomed the Class of 2019! Let's make it count!

All-State Choir 2015

Congratulations to the following musicians for your successful auditions into the Montana All-State Choir: Allison Kalvig-Alto 2, Anna Williams-Alto 2,  Brenden Anderson-Bass 1, Emily Naomi-Alto 1, Jack Desmul-Tenor 1, Nathan MacGregor-Tenor 1 and Spencer Pisk-Bass 1. The alternates are Isabelle Lyon-Soprano 2 and Nick Brester-Bass 1.  The All-State Gala Concert will be October 16 in Billings, Montana.

First meeting of the 2015-2016 Glacier Echoes

It's going to be a great year! Thank you for hosting the party, Micah!

Concert Choir Class of 2015

Seniors - thank you so much for being a part of the Glacier High School Music Department.  It is hard to believe that you are moving on.  I know that each of you will continue to be the incredible people and musicians you are.  Keep in touch and best wishes for a wonderful future.  You will be missed!

Geronimo! Spring Concert 2015

UPDATE:  The concert was a huge success!  Thank you to everyone who made it possible.  Check out this link. (Photos by Pete Sauer)Spring Concert 2015

The Glacier High School Choral Department will present “Say Geronimo!” Tuesday, May 26 at 7:30 pm in the Glacier High School Performance Hall.  There is no admission charge.

The final concert of the school year, under the direction of Sandee Sauer, will open with the hit tune “Geronimo” sung by all of the choirs.  The evening will progress with a variety of music from the Beatles to Broadway, from African to acapella, and from Queen to the Pentatonix.  Many musicians will be honored with various awards including varsity letters, the Fred Waring Director’s Awards and the National School Choral Awards.

Debby Gardner will accompany the choirs. Guest musicians include Nick Barr, Parker Basham, Preston Biggar, Colin Cordell, Nathan MacGregor and Flathead High School/Glacier High School guitar teacher, Steve Eckels. Senior dancers Megan Bridwell and Elizabeth Sullivan will be featured on the beautiful U2 ballad “With or Without You.” 

2014-2015 National School Choral Award Recipients

The National School Choral Award is the highest honor for high school choral performers.  It recognizes the dedication and musical achievement of the top male and female senior choral students. Congratulations to Rebecca Konen and Ben Habel!

2014-2015 Fred Waring Director's Award Winners

The Fred Waring Director's Award for Chorus recognizes the talent and enthusiasm of outstanding senior choral members. Congratulations to Megan Bridwell and Caleb Fitzwater!

State Music Festival - 2015 - Superior Ratings

Congratulations on receiving a Superior rating at the State Music Festival: Kelsey Alexander, Hannah Andrews, Hailee Bennett, Nick Brester, Ben Bridwell, Megan Bridwell, Kyler Cheff, Katie Christensen, Madison Darlington, Jack Desmul, Millie Espeseth, Anika Fritz, Alicia Frye, Talyia Gironda, Adam Habel, Ben Habel, Brandon Hadley, Lauren Harmon, Conner Heil, Faith Kern, Nathan MacGregor, Rachel Maher, Micah Meadors, Cayli Mower, Olivia Ogle, Nina Riggs, Silas Schwarz, Jasmyn Serna, Nilla Swenson, Abby Van Allen, Emmett Van Allen, Anna Williams and Riley Wilton.

State Music Festival - 2015 - Excellent Ratings

Congratulations to the following musicians who received Excellent ratings at the State Music Festival: Hannah Andrews, Alicia Bernhardt, Katie Christensen, Millie Espeseth, Morgan Evanoff, Anika Fritz, Talyia Gironda, Lauren Harmon, Selena Ikeda, Scott Jarvis, Faith Kern, Nathan MacGregor, Micah Meadors, Olivia Ogle, Nina Riggs, Nilla Swenson, Thomas Tow, Emmett Van Allen, Anna Williams and Riley Wilton.

Evergreen Junior High comes to visit!

Glacier students had a wonderful time with Evergreen Junior High.  Thank you to their director, Kurt Webber.  I look forward to having your students become a part of the Pack!

District Music Festival - 2015 - Superior Ratings

Congratulations to the following musicians for their Superior ratings at District Music Festival:  Hannah Andrews, Hailee Bennett, Katie Christensen, Madison Darlington, Anika Fritz, Talyia Gironda, Faith Kern, Rachel Maher, Cayli Mower, Olivia Ogle, Nina Riggs, Nilla Swenson, Anna Williams, Riley Wilton, Abby Van Allen, Jack Desmul, Chandler Eaves, Caleb Fitzwater, Ben Habel, Brandon Hadley, Scott Jarvis, Nathan MacGregor, Spencer Pisk, Megan Bridwell, Kyler Cheff, Morgan Evanoff, Alicia Frye, Taylyn Hubbard, Rebecca Konen, Micah Meadors, Jasmyn Serna, McKenna Tinseth, McKayle Dennehy, Ben Bridwell, Selena Ikeda, Emmett Van Allen, Conner Heil, Adam Habel, Millie Espeseth, Lauren Harmon, Alicia Bernhardt, Thomas Tow, Kristen Toren, Nick Brester, Silas Schwarz and Kelsey Alexander.  You are now qualified for the State Music Festival in Missoula May 1 & 2, 2015!

District Music Festival - 2015 - Excellent Ratings

Congratulations to the following musicians on their Excellent ratings at District Music Festival:  Addisyn Bucher, Amy Haverfield, Morgan Evanoff, Micah Meadors, Talyia Gironda, Aaron Harraden, Abbey Odell, Emily Naomi, Elise Nelson, Lauren Harmon, Abby Van Allen, Alicia Bernhardt, Kaitlin Giffin, Conner Heil, Millie Espeseth, Annie Hill, Rachel Maher and Rachel Ruis.

Seattle Choir Tour 2015

What a fabulous tour we had!  Highlights include a clinic with Dr. Marc Hafso at Whitworth University, a dress-up dinner at Buco di Beppo in Seattle, a trip to the Woodland Park Zoo, a visit to Pike's Market and other Seattle sites, a Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre (it was Lucy!!), a wonderful performance at the Heritage Music Festival which included a gold rating and an invitation to Carnegie Hall and a boat ride out to Blake Island for dinner, a show and awards.  A special thank you to our chaperones Debby Gardner, Katherine Gironda, Molly Schwarz, Betsy Schilling, Tim Hubbard and Pete Sauer - and our awesome bus driver Rick Fetterhoff!

Please check out this link for more photos: Seattle 2015

Great Falls High Stops By

Wow!  The Great Falls High School Choir and their talented director, Lynn Ryan, shared their love of music with us today.  Thank you so much for stopping by on your tour.  You are welcome any time!

"Celtic Voices" 2015

The "Celtic Voices" concert was incredible!  Thank you to the wonderful choir students at GHS.  A special thank you to our guest musicians Lisa Swallow, Thomas Duffy, Caleb Fitzwater, Brandon Purdy and Noah Hill. Our soloists were fantastic:  Brandon Hadley, Brielle Bumgarner, Micah Meadors and Rebecca Konen!  Debby Gardner, our accompanist, was flawless, as always!  Check out the photos, by Pete Sauer, at this link: March Concert 2015 

"Celtic Voices" March 17, 2015 4 pm and 7 pm

Heralding spring with thoughts of bagpipes, Scottish-Highland dancing and the singing of folksongs, the Glacier High School Choirs will present "Celtic Voices" Tuesday, March 17 at Glacier High School.  The choirs will present their annual spring concert with a Celtic flair at 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm in the Glacier High School Performance Hall.  Under the direction of Sandee Sauer, the choral arrangements will include Irish and Scottish tunes such as "Danny Boy," "My Heart's in the Highlands," "Bonny Wood Green," and "Dobbin's Flowery Vale." Debby Gardner will accompany the choirs on piano.  Guest instrumentalists will include Lisa Swallow on piano, Noah Hill on violin and Brandon Purdy on cello.  The performance will conclude with 175 voices singing the traditional "Irish Blessing."  There is no admission charge for the concert.

Eric and Erica pay a visit!

"Hailing from both the Big Apple and the big skies of Montana, Eric and Erica (Eric Michael Krop and Erica von Kleist) is a piano/vocal duo of epic proportions."  GHS was thrilled to have Eric and Erica take the time out of their busy schedules to visit us.  Not only did they perform several fantastic selections, they also worked with the GHS Men's Choir.  I would encourage you to attend one of their upcoming concerts - you will love every moment of it!

A Visit to Kalispell Middle School

The Glacier Choir Council along with members of the Flathead Concert Choir enjoyed visiting with the 8th grade choir at Kalispell Middle School.  Both high schools are looking forward to welcoming them to the music program!

The Evening of Fine Arts

The Glacier Echoes enjoyed supporting the Kalispell Education Foundation by performing at the Evening of Fine Arts.

Men's Choir Festival in Whitefish

The men of the Glacier Choirs were honored to sing under the direction of Mr. Kevin Allen-Schmid.  Joining the GHS men were singers from Flathead and Whitefish High Schools.  The day was fun-filled and spontaneous. The concert was fabulous!

Glacier Echoes 2014-2015

Photo by Russell Aldrich, Swan River Studios

Glacier Concert Choir 2014-2015

Photo by Russell Aldrich, Swan River Studios

Glacier Breeze 2014-2015

Photo by Russell Aldrich, Swan River Studios

Glacier Advanced Women's Choir 2014-2015

Photo by Russell Aldrich, Swan River Studios

Glacier Men's Choir 2014-2015

Photo by Russell Aldrich, Swan River Studios