Echoes Perform 2016

The Glacier Echoes performed for the Mentor/Mentee Event in December.

Glacier High School Concert Choir and Chamber Orchestra - Glow - December 2016

Glacier Echoes - That's Christmas to Me - December 2016

"Winter Glow" 2016 Holiday Concert

What an incredible evening!  I am so proud of all of our GHS musicians. Here is a link to all of the photos from the concert (photo credit Pete Sauer):Winter Glow 2016

Fruit Sale 2016

Thank you to the Flathead Valley for supporting the Glacier High School Music Department's Annual Fruit Fundraiser!

Echo Performance 2016

The Glacier Echoes were honored to perform for the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce's Annual Banquet!

2016 AA Choir Festival

Flathead Valley music lovers will be treated to a grand affair to welcome in the holiday season, when three hundred voices present the Western Montana AA Choir Festival Concert at 5:00 pm on Tuesday, November 15, in the Glacier High School Performance Hall.

“This is an event that Kalispell has been waiting for – Bozeman, Missoula Big Sky, Flathead, Glacier and Helena High High School Concert Choirs joining together to make beautiful music, “ says Sandee Sauer, Glacier High School choir director.

Individual choir performances will open Tuesday afternoon’s concert. The choirs will then combine to present five choral masterworks under the direction of one of Seattle’s finest choral conductors, Dr. Geoffrey Boers. 

Geoffrey Boers is Director of Choral Activities at the University of Washington in Seattle, a program widely recognized as forward thinking, unique, and of great distinction. Under his direction, the graduate choral program has developed a singular mission: to nurture the whole student as conductor-teacher-servant-leader-scholar.  Through his teaching he is exploring the evolution of conducting gesture and rehearsal pedagogy and their connection with the emerging neuroscience of mirror neurons, empathy, perception, learning, and personal transformation. His exploration has led to new thoughts about conducting and teaching with regard to breath, movement, artistry, personal awareness, and cultural development..  He has developed mentorship programs across the United States and Canada. In addition to these thoughts about mentorship he is actively working with other leaders in ACDA and NAfME to develop a more unified and useful system for development of musicianship, assessment, adjudication, and repertoire grading.

The repertoire Dr. Boers has chosen includes John Rutter’s “Shepherd’s Pipe Carol,” Robert Schumann’s “Ziguenerleben” and “Flight Song” with music by Kim Andre’ Arnesen. The choirs will be accompanied by Debby Gardner.

 “The five choirs will rehearse for two days under Dr. Boer’s direction, and I expect that by Tuesday afternoon, the festival choir will be performing at a high level of polish and intensity,” says Jennifer Stephens, Flathead High School Choir Director.  Photos available here (thank you, Pete Sauer):AA Festival 2016

All-State 2016

I am so proud of our All-State Musicians!

Supporting the Special Olympics! 2016

The Advanced Women's Choir was honored to perform the National Anthem for our Flathead Valley Special Olympic Teams.

Flathead, Glacier and KMS Collaborate! 2016

Men's choirs from Flathead and Glacier High Schools joined forces with the Kalispell Middle School boys to perform.  The combined choir performed an exciting medley of Johnny Cash songs.  Thank you to the KMS choir director, Tracy Snipstead, for the invitation!

Fall Concert October 24, 2016

The Glacier High School Choral Department will present “Stand Together” Monday, October 24 at 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm in the Glacier High School Performance Hall.

The concert will open with a beautiful arrangement of “The Star Spangled Banner” performed by the Glacier Echoes.  The Glacier Girls’ Choir will sing a variety of tunes including “There Will Come Soft Rains.”  Glacier Breeze will bring energy to the stage with a rousing spiritual called “The Storm Is Passing Over.” “The Armed Forces Medley” will be performed by the Glacier Men’s Choir.  The Glacier Echoes will sing several Pentatonix songs including “Na Na Na” and “Take Me Home.”  The concert’s title song, “Stand Together,” will be performed by the Glacier Advanced Women’s Choir.  The Glacier Concert Choir will sing a lovely selection called “After the War.”

The Glacier Concert Choir and the talented audience will combine for the grand finale of the concert.  “We are going to close the concert with Cecil Effinger’s “An American Hymn,” an inspirational setting of “America the Beautiful,” says Glacier’s Choir Director, Sandee Sauer.  “I am looking forward to hearing many voices join together in song.” 

Photos by Pete Sauer are available here:Fall Concert 2016

The Echoes get pom pom hats! 2016

The Glacier Echoes each received a handmade hat today.  The hats were knitted by Brenda Probert aka "Pom Pom Grandma."  Thank you, Brenda - we love them!

Spirit Week 2016

GHS Choir students displayed their school spirit this week.  Go Pack! For more photos click on this link:Spirit Week 2016

Welcome Glacier High School Class of 2020!

The Echoes were thrilled to welcome the incoming freshmen to Glacier High School.  Welcome to the Pack!

All-State Choir 2016

Congratulations to the following students who have been selected as members of the 2016 Montana All-State Choir.  Their selection is the result of hard work and talent.  It represents the highest honor bestowed upon choir students by the Montana High School Association. Nick Brester, Bass 1; Brenden Anderson, Bass 1; Emmett VanAllen, Bass 1; Spencer Pisk, Bass 1, Zachary Hill, Tenor 2, Nathan Gironda, Tenor 1; Jack Desmul, Tenor 1; Allison Kalvig, Alto 2; Emily Naomi, Alto 1; Alyssa Framness, Soprano 2; Millie Espeseth, Soprano 2 and Alicia Bernhardt, Soprano 2.  Our alternate is Isabelle Lyon, Soprano 2.

Class of 2016

Thank you to the seniors!  Thank you for your leadership, guidance, spirit, dedication, laughter and for sharing your love of music.  You have truly made a difference at Glacier High School and I wish you all the very best and continued success.  Keep in touch and I will see you next December on stage for the Hallelujah Chorus!

2015-2016 National School Choral Award Winners

The National School Choral Award is the highest honor for high school performers.  It recognizes the dedication and musical achievement of the top male and female choral students.  Congratulations to Abby Van Allen and Nathan MacGregor on your accomplishments!

2015-2016 Director's Award Winners

Fred Waring was one of the leading choral directors of the 20th century.  He composed and arranged music, and is choral group, The Pennsylvanians, spread the popularity of singing.  The Fred Waring Director's Award recognizes the talent and enthusiasm of outstanding choral members.  Congratulations to this year's recipients - Micah Meadors and Adam Habel!

Glacier Echoes - "You'll Be In My Heart/Trashin' the Camp" May 2016

"Sing!" Final Concert May 24, 2016

Update:  What an evening of celebration!  I am so proud of all of the choirs.  You have all come so far since the October concert.  Click on this link to see photos by Pete Sauer:May Concert 2016

The final concert of the school year, under the direction of Sandee Sauer, will open with the hit tune “Budapest” sung by all of the choirs.  The evening will progress with a variety of music from Elvis Presley to Disney, from Manhattan Transfer to acapella, and from gospel 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 and Kristen Toren will accompany the choirs. Guest musicians include Klaus Rohrbach on percussion, Paul Bruce on bass and Ben Bridwell on guitar.

Senior visual artists and culinary art students will also have their artwork on display in the Fine Arts hallways.  Come and see..., and taste some amazing artistry.

The art show opening is from 5-8pm, but feel free to check it out before, between, or after the choir performances.

State Music Festival - 2016 - Superior Ratings

Congratulations to the following musicians for earning Superior Ratings at the State Music Festival:
Kelsey Alexander, Bria Anderson, Alicia Bernhardt, Nick Brester, Ben Bridwell, Jack Desmul, Thomas Duffy, Alyssa Framness, Talyia Gironda, Conner Heil, Nathan MacGregor, Kedryn McElderry, Micah Meadors, Silas Schwarz, Abby Van Allen, Emmett Van Allen, Robert West and Alec Willis.

State Music Festival - 2016 - Excellent Ratings

Congratulations to the following students for receiving Excellent ratings at the State Music Festival:
Brenden Anderson, Bria Anderson, Nick Brester, Ben Bridwell, Paul Bruce, Millie Espeseth, Amy Haverfield, Zachary Hill, Isabelle Lyon, Emily Naomi, Sarah Tripp and Rylie Weeks.
           

Denver Choir Tour 2016

What an incredible trip we had!  We sang, we laughed, we learned, we experienced and we made new friends.  Highlights include the clinic at Westminster College in Salt Lake City, Utah, the visit to the Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City, the visit to the Denver Science Museum, the entertaining dinner at Casa Bonita, the Colorado Rockies win over the LA Dodgers, the delicious Hammond's Candy Factory tour, the beautiful 16th Street Mall, the incredible meal (date night) at Maggiano's, and of course, Sweeney Todd and The Two Cellos.  Throw in some bus trouble (thankful for our bus driver, Monte) and some fabulous chaperones and you have a successful tour.  The best part of the tour was our exchange with East High School in Denver.  The energy, joy and true love of singing was contagious! We will never forget our new friends and the sound of our two choirs combining to make music.  Thank you East High!  We hope you visit Montana some day soon! (Click on this link to view photos by Michelle Van Allen and Pete Sauer)Denver 2016

Carroll College Choir on tour!

We were pleased to welcome Dr. Robert Psurny and the Carroll College Choir from Helena, Montana.  What a treat to hear such beautiful choral music!  We were also thrilled to see Brielle Bumgarner, a GHS alum, adding her lovely voice to the ensemble.

District Music Festival - 2016 - Superior Ratings

Congratulations to the following musicians for earning Superior ratings at District Music Festival and qualifying for the State Music Festival May 6-7, 2016:
Kelsey Alexander, Brenden Anderson, Bria Anderson, Hailee Bennett, Alicia Bernardt, Nick Brester, Ben Bridwell, Paul Bruce, Jack Desmul, Thomas Duffy, Echo Men, Echo Women, Millie Espeseth, Alyssa Framness, Anika Fritz, Talyia Gironda, Glacier Breeze, Glacier Echoes, Adam Habel, Amy Haverfield, Conner Heil, Zach Hill, Scott Jarvis, Isabelle Lyon, Nathan MacGregor, Kedryn McElderry, Micah Meadors, Cayli Mower, Emily Naomi, Spencer Pisk, Silas Schwarz, Sarah Tripp, Abby Van Allen, Emmett Van Allen, Rylie Weeks, Robert West and Alec Willis.

District Music Festival - 2016 - Excellent Ratings

Congratulations to the following musicians for receiving Excellent ratings at District Music Festival:
Kelsey Alexander, Aren Alexander-Battee, Brenden Anderson, Alicia Bernhardt, Max DeVries, Thomas Duffy, Morgan Evanoff, Dylan Fisher, Maggie Gibson, Talyia Gironda, Lauren Harmon, Kyla Harris, Zach Hill, Allison Kalvig, Mia Kintzler, Kedryn McElderry, Micah Meadors, Emily Naomi, Elise Nelson, Abbey Odell, Megan Rediger, Jezalyn Schussler, Silas Schwarz, Jasmyn Serna, Claire Stefanatz, Nilla Swenson, Anna Williams, Riley Wilton and Sidney Zimmerman!

District Music Festival 2016

Thank you so much to our wonderful adjudicators Peggy Bucheit, Steve Holte, Micah Hunter, Dean Peterson, Larry Sheldon and Angela Wilkes for inspiring our students!  Click on this link for more photos: District 2016

Evergreen schools come to visit!

We so enjoyed hosting the Evergreen/future Wolfpack students! Thank you for visiting GHS.

"A Night on Broadway" Monday, March 21, 2016

UPDATE:  OH MY GOODNESS!  I AM SO PROUD OF THE GHS CHORAL DEPARTMENT.  YOU PROVIDED THE AUDIENCE WITH SUCH PROFESSIONAL, MUSICAL PERFORMANCES! PLEASE CLICK ON THIS LINK TO SEE MORE PHOTOS Broadway 2016...(Photos by Pete Sauer)

The Glacier High School Choral Department will present “A Night on Broadway” Monday, March 21 at 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm in the Glacier High School Performance Hall.

The concert will open with Glacier Breeze performing selections from the hit musical “Chicago.”  The Glacier Girls’ Choir will take us back to the sixties with music from “Hairspray.” The Glacier Echoes will perform Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods”.  Songs from “Footloose” will be sung by the combined Advanced Women and Men’s Choirs.  Selections from “Les Miserables” will be performed by the Glacier Concert Choir.  All voices will join together to close the concert with the poignant “Seasons of Love” from the Broadway musical “Rent.”

“It has been challenging and exciting to add choreography and costuming to our performance, “ says Sandee Sauer, Glacier High School’s Choir Director.  “This concert will be very entertaining!”

Debby Gardner will accompany the choirs, with Klaus Rohrbach on percussion.  The guest emcee will be Grady Bennett, teacher and head football coach at Glacier High School.

ACDA All-Northwest 2016

What an exciting convention!  The Honor Choirs were incredible.  I am so proud of our GHS students for representing our school.  Click on this link for a few more pics! All NW 2016

Eric and Erica - Groovetrail - provide inspiration!

We were so excited to get to work with Eric Krop and Erica Von Kleist through Groovetrail Music.  Thank you so much for providing words of wisdom, experience and inspiration to the GHS Concert Choir!

A Wolfpack Welcome to the class of 2020!

We look forward to meeting the class of 2020 - welcome to the Pack!

MSU Men's Choir Festival 2016

Glacier men's choir enjoyed a fabulous festival at Montana State University in Bozeman.  The guest director was Dr. Jonathan Reed, professor of music and associate director of choral programs at Michigan State University College of Music. A special thank you to MSU's Dr. Kirk Amotte for hosting the festival. Click on this link to see more photos: Men's Festival 2016