The Assumption Knight Players Present Annie! This Weekend!

With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone’s hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. She is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage that is run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan. With the help of the other girls in the Orphanage, Annie escapes to the wondrous world of NYC. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan’s evil machinations… and even befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt! She finds a new home and family in billionaire, Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary, Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy. Come see Annie at Assumption High School’s Sunderbruch Auditorium on March 3 and 4 at 7 PM and March 5 at 2 PM. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens and students without an activity pass. Tickets available online at https://www.showtix4u.com/events/78 or cash or check at the door.

 

Honor Band News

Assumption High School Band had a very busy week with participants at 3 different area honor bands! On Monday, January 16, 17 students were selected for the MAC Conference Honor Band, held at Central DeWitt High School. 8 out of 10 schools in the MAC were represented. Students rehearsed in 2 bands, one for 9-10 grade and one for 11-12 grade. The 9-10 grade band was directed by Mrs. Jennifer Williams, director of bands and Ankeny High School, and the 11-12 band was directed by Dr. Duane Bierman, director of bands at University of Nebraska-Kearney. Students selected for the 9-10 grade band were Olivia Fernando – Flute, Elisabeth Weyeneth – Clarinet, Geno DelPreore – Alto Saxophone, Alex Hady – Trumpet, and Ben Bates – Percussion. Students selected for the 11-12 band were Alison Byrne – Flute, Bianca Connelly – Flute, Michael Lochner – Clarinet, Kristen Byrne – Clarinet, Maggie Burchett – Clarinet, Tatyana DelPreore – Contra Alto Clarinet, Leah Wilson – Trumpet, Grace Hagerman – Trumpet, Lindsey Gerlach – Trombone, AJ Barry – Euphonium, Nathan Roman – Tuba, and Anna Schuster – Percussion.

On Friday, January 20, 10 Assumption students participated in the University of Dubuque Honor Band. Students rehearsed under the direction of Dr. Nolan Hauta and Dr. Evan Glickman of the University of Dubuque. Students from 3 states participated. At the honor band concert on Friday night, 4 Assumption students were presented with music scholarships to the University of Dubuque! Students receiving scholarships were Grace Hagerman, David Lochner, Michael Lochner, and Anna Schuster. Students participating in the University of Dubuque Honor Band were Michael Lochner – Clarinet, Elisabeth Weyeneth – Clarinet, Grace Hagerman – Trumpet, David Lochner – Trombone, Lindsey Gerlach – Trombone, AJ Barry – Euphonium, Tatyana DelPreore – Contra Alto Clarinet, Adie Craig – Percussion, Anna Schuster – Percussion, and Noah Whitlock – Percussion.

Finally, Michael Lochner, auditioned and was selected on clarinet for the Southeast Iowa Bandmasters Association (SEIBA) Honor Band, held at the Voxman School of Music on the campus of the University of Iowa. The SEIBA High School Honor Band was under the director of Dr. Mark Heidel, director of bands at the University of Iowa. Students rehearsed all day and performed an outstanding concert that night.

Congrats to all of our honor band students!

Back Stage Angel Meeting – Drama Parents

Back Stage Angels are a group of drama parents who take care of many needs of our Assumption Knight Players throughout their season!

Please plan on joining us for a meeting in the AHS Choir Room on November 16th, at 7pm to learn more about ways we can make the season special for our thespians.  Our drama directors will be in attendance as well.

Assumption Choir All-State Students

On Oct. 22, 6 members of the Assumption Choir auditioned for the 76th Annual Iowa All-State Chorus. Two singers were then selected as alternates for their section: Katelyn O’Brien ’25, alto and Tristen Gray ’25 bass. Congratulations to all of the students on their hard work and dedication over the last three months!

Students Selected for Opus Honor Choir

Assumption Choir member Will Emerle ’26 was recently selected for participation in the 36th annual Opus Honor Choir Festival as part of the 9th Grade Mixed Choir. Over 2100 students were nominated by their directors for 720 positions in the four Opus Honor Choirs. Selections were made by means of a recorded audition. Guest conductors of the choirs include Christina Svec, Iowa State University, 5th & 6th Grade Honor Choir; Nick Oswald, Southview Middle School, 7th & 8th Grade Bass Clef Honor Choir; Amy Kotsonis, University of New Hampshire, 7th & 8th Grade Treble Clef Honor Choir; and Andrew Last, Luther College,  9th Grade Mixed Honor Choir. The 2022 Opus Honor Choirs will perform at 4:00 p.m. November 17th in C.Y. Stephens Auditorium in the Iowa State Center in Ames. The Opus Honor Choir Festival is made possible by the Iowa Choral Directors Association, Inc.

Choir News

Choir Earns Superior Rating

On Friday, May 6th, the Assumption Choir participated in the IHSMA District Large Group Festival, an adjudicated and rated state event hosted at Central DeWitt High School. The choir, from a panel of three judges, earned a Division 1 “Superior” rating including a perfect score from one of the judges. Congratulations, Choir!

 

Choir to sing for Mass

This Sunday, May 15th, the Assumption Choir will help lead music at the 9:00 a.m. Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport. The choir will also help lead at the 11:00 a.m. Mass at St. Paul the Apostle in Davenport on Sunday, May 22nd. Please join them in worship!

IHSMA District Solo/Small Ensemble Festival

On Saturday, March 26th ten choir members participated in the Class 3A District Solo/Small Ensemble hosted at Central DeWitt High School. The students gave fantastic performances as indicated by the six students earning a Division 2 rating and four students earning a Division 1 rating. Students earning a Division 1 rating include Paige Lansing ’23, Maegan Dolan ’22, Bailey Lehnert ’22, and Tatyana DelPreore ’23. Bailey Lehnert was listed as the “Outstanding Performer” for her center, qualifying her to participate in the State Solo/Small Ensemble Festival held at Iowa State University on May 17th.

Assumption Choir Concert Next Tuesday!

The Assumption Choir and Jazz Choir will present their Winter Concert on Tuesday, March 29th at 7:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 4105 N. Division St., Davenport. Please join us for this brief, 40-minute program that will feature a variety of styles and genres, including selections suitable for this Lenten and Easter season.