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   February 28, 2024 was an exciting and monumental day for WHA Vocal Music as the department competed at the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) Small Ensemble Contest at Bagley High School. The newly formed soprano and alto chamber choir called “Cantabile” (pronounced kahn-tah-bee-lay) performed for the very first time in the history of the group and earned top honors! WHA Vocal Music Director, Levi Capesius, says the preparation for the contest was just as special as the contest day and the performance itself. 

“I have never seen a group of girls work with such grit and determination to achieve a collective goal. Day in and day out, all of the students (not just the competition singers) in the high school choir come in and work with purpose and want to better themselves as singers and human beings. We have formed something special in rehearsal and around school in such a short amount of time working together. I could not be more proud of the students’ preparation and technically beautiful and heartfelt performance! Hopefully this is the start of something exciting for our school and community!” This is the first Superior rating for the WHA Vocal Music Department at the MSHSL Small Ensemble Contest in four years! Additionally, the group received the second highest score in the vocal section of the contest which is another huge accomplishment! Last spring, WHA Singers - the school’s 9-12 mixed ensemble - received Superior at MSHSL Large Ensemble as well which hadn’t been accomplished in the vocal music department since 2018! Lastly, Capesius and the students would like to give special thanks to Julie Bright for accompanying the group on piano and Carver Stewart on flute.

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