SSHS quartet earns Superior rating at State

HELENA – The Seeley-Swan High School quartet "Homeward Bound" sang their way to a Superior rating at the State Music Festival, May 6. This is the highest rating they could have received. SSHS Music Director Janet Morgenstern said the group gave their best performance of the year and the judge was impressed with their confidence and positive attitudes.

"Homeward Bound" ensemble included Wesley Stevenson, Cadence Mauldin, Sky Burckhard and Tyler Neher. They were the only group to receive a Superior rating at Districts in April and continue to the State Music Festival in Helena.

Morgenstern said the group learned from Districts and made adjustments that improved their performance for State. Prior to their performance, they enjoyed listening to many different small ensembles from around the state.

"That is kind of the whole point of Festival is you learn a lot and work with others," Morgenstern said.

While the quartet was nervous, Morgenstern said they set their nerves aside and gave a great performance.

"Things went really well," Morgenstern said. "They sang it the best they have ever sung it."

Morgenstern said Judge Dean Peterson really appreciated the group. He told them he wished he could work with them all day.

"We heard from really great events that were sung well but weren't confident – they weren't loud, they weren't easy to hear, the piano had to pull way back," Morgenstern said. "Our kids had a lot of confidence and I only saw one other group with that kind of confidence."

Morgenstern added while she works with all her students to build their confidence on stage, these four are naturally more confident than the others.

Peterson also told the group it was "awesome" to see a group come from Seeley-Swan since there hasn't been one for a long time.

"It was a nice, very satisfying trip," Morgenstern said. "They are a great group of young people that I enjoy immensely and are positive leaders for the future of our music program."