Wyoming vocalists stepped into Cody High School from January 18–20, carrying garment bags, binders of sheet music, and the nervous excitement that comes with knowing the weekend ahead would be intense. Selected through a competitive audition process, 100 singers from across the state—21 from Star Valley—were chosen to participate in All-State Choir, an ensemble designed to bring together the best voices in Wyoming. The experience officially began with an opening night concert on Sunday, giving students their first chance to hear the level of musicianship they would soon be expected to match.
Monday morning arrived early, and with it came the reality of the All-State schedule. Students moved quickly into part checks lasting over an hour, followed by rehearsals that ran from 8:30 to 11:45, resumed after lunch, and continued until 5:00 p.m. Led by Dr. Jeffery Redding and accompanied by Tim Schoessler, singers were pushed to refine every detail of their sound. The long hours were challenging, and the physical and mental demands became clear almost immediately. Will reflected on the experience, saying, “My experience at Allstate was great. I enjoyed the music that I learned but I wasn’t a fan of the 6 hour sessions but I did enjoy spending time with my friends and making new friends while I was there.” Despite the exhaustion, students continued to show up focused, knowing that the intensity was what made All-State Choir different from anything they had experienced before.
Over the course of the weekend, the choir worked through six demanding and diverse pieces: Swilo Yini arranged by Michael Barrett, Lift Every Voice and Sing arranged by Roland Carter, Sing Unto God from Judas Maccabaeus by G.F. Handel, Ritmo by Dan Davison, Flight arranged by Ryan Murphy, and Sign Me Up (with ‘Roll, Jordan, Roll’) arranged by Brandon A. Boyd. Each piece required a different style, tone, and level of musical awareness, forcing singers to adapt quickly. Marc shared how rehearsals became one of the most meaningful parts of the experience, saying, “All State choir was amazing. One of my favorite parts was rehearsal, even though it was long and tiring.” He explained that the director’s message shaped more than just the music, adding, “He not only taught us how to sing better but he taught us how to be better people.” That mindset helped students stay motivated, even during the most difficult moments.
As rehearsals continued, students found themselves growing not just musically, but personally. Junior Maddie Aullman described a realization that stayed with her long after the weekend ended, saying, “We need to learn to sing for the people who love us, not for the haters.” She continued, “Sing for the people who support you 100%, the ones who lift you up instead of tearing you down.” That perspective helped many singers push past self-doubt and focus on expressing the meaning behind the music rather than worrying about perfection.
On Monday night, the pace slowed just enough for students to connect during student activity night at the Cody Recreation Center. After a casual taco bar dinner, singers spent time swimming, dancing, playing games, and talking with students from schools across the state. These moments allowed friendships to form in ways rehearsals alone could not. Junior Peyton Hokanson described the impact of working with students from other schools, saying, “I think All State is such a cool experience because you get to collaborate with so many talented people from different schools that you usually wouldn’t talk to.” Peyton also explained how different the experience felt compared to competition, adding, “In sports you have to go against the other schools but for All State you work together to create beautiful music.” For many, these connections became one of the most memorable parts of the weekend.
Tuesday brought another full day of rehearsals, with singers returning to the choir room early in the morning and working until the afternoon. By this point, exhaustion was evident, but so was progress. Freshman Cayson Haderlie reflected on the demanding nature of the experience, saying, “While it was challenging it was worth it.” He explained how the effort paid off, adding, “By the time of the concert the final result showed that the effort was worth it.” Each rehearsal brought the choir closer together, transforming individual voices into a unified sound.
That evening, the final concert arrived. Following performances by orchestra and band, the All-State Choir took the stage, ready to share the music they had spent days preparing. What once felt overwhelming now felt meaningful. Will reflected on the purpose of the experience, saying, “I think the point of Allstate choir is to not only sing for the audience but for each other.” As the final notes rang through the auditorium, students recognized how much they had grown in such a short amount of time.
As the weekend came to a close and students packed up to return home, many realized that All-State Choir had offered far more than a performance opportunity. Kari Allred summarized the impact of the experience, saying, “The skills, advice, and training they receive from the guest conductor can be invaluable.” She added, “Rehearsals are more intense, and students are more dedicated, which in the end makes for an incredible performance.”
For the singers who took part, All-State Choir was not just about music—it was about community, resilience, and discovering what can happen when voices from across the state come together with a shared passion.
