The Coon Rapids High School concert choir is gearing up for a big performance this month.
On Tuesday, the voices of the concert choir came together in harmony, inspired by fame. The choir got a visit from world renowned composer, Jake Runestad, who gave a clinic with the choir on his choral music gem, "Let My Love Be Heard.” Runestad's composition will be among the list of songs which the concert choir will perform next week at the Minnesota Music Educators Association mid-winter convention in Minneapolis.
"This is my third time taking an ensemble to perform at the MMEA State Convention," said Amy B. Johnson, director of the concert choir.
Johnson had to submit recordings of the choir performing songs back in June of 2021. They were judged by a panel of judges with the MMEA along with other Minnesota high school choir submissions. And when the final decision was made, Coon Rapids was selected to be the only high school choir to perform at this year’s convention.
"What the organization is interested in knowing is that when you show up, you have a legacy of excellence," Johnson said.
The concert choir has worked for months on the program they'll present next week at the state convention. Seniors in the choir said they've waited two years, (due to COVID-19) to have a performance like this.
"I'm so proud of how the choir has come together and how fast we learned to listen to each other and just blend and everything," said Kosenn Zennah, who is a Soprano I in the choir.
Each Friday, Johnson and co-teacher Shaun Halland share positive messages with the students in the choir.
"Like you are loved, and you're not alone,” Johnson said. “And when we found out we would be going to state they said, that's the story we want to tell.”
The state performance will take place on Thursday, February 17 at 2:15 p.m. in the Main Ballroom of the Minneapolis Convention Center. Closer to home, the choir will perform a community preview concert of the program they will present at MMEA. The preview concert will be on Monday, February 14 at 7 p.m. in the Coon Rapids High School auditorium. Tickets are free.