This weekend, more than sixty West High musicians participated in the All-State Iowa Music Festival in Ames.  The All-State band featured conductor Dr. Myron Welch, a retired Director of Bands at the University of Iowa.  His energy and humor translated throughout the band.  At one point, Welch was so impressed with the euphonium section that he said, “I want to take the euphonium section home with me and sell them on the street.”  The All-State chorus featured director Dr. Craig Arnold who is currently the Artistic Director and Chairman of the Manhattan Concert Productions in New York City.  Arnold’s passion for music showed in his dramatic conducting.  The All-State orchestra featured Dr. Henry E. Duitman, the Director of Orchestral Activities at Grand Valley State University.

The festival was not only filled with music.  Students also learned other life lessons during the trip.  “Never get shrimp linguine from Red Lobsters, unless you want intense stomach ache.  The conductor surprisingly looked the same as the picture in the handout,” said clarinetist Tong Yu ‘13.

Aside from countless hours of rehearsal and minutes walking in the cold, students found the festival very inspiring.  “It was a great experience and it really expanded my horizons as a musician,” said baritone saxophonist Davy Perlman ‘12.