Singing a happy tune

The Cedar Grove-Belgium middle and high school choirs qualified several members for the state solo/ensemble festival. Eighth-grade qualifiers who sang “A Cowboy’s Life” include (main photo from left) Nathanael Bruhn, Matthew Walz, Kyle Dehn, Ethan Schraven, Lucas Heaton, Matthew Speaks, Ethan DeSwarte and Evan Teunissen. Those from the high school are (inset photo, front row from left) Ashley Strong, Becca Plier, Jessica Lybek, Kara Pree, Molly Dirkse, (back row) Aaron Salazar, Joe Wilsnack, Emilie Gruell, Audrey Nagorsen and Kennedy Schoeder. Missing from the photo were Kaitlyn Henderson and Mackenzie Amore. About 100 choir students from seventh through 12th grade participated in solos, duets, trios and large groups at the district festival in Oostburg on March 16 and 17. Qualifying for state required students to earn a starred first rating on a 1 to 3 scale. The state festival is Saturday, April 27, at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. “Solo/ensemble is a valuable opportunity for students to participate in small group and independent music making,” choir director Linda Ruona said.