The Greene County High School Choir and Band participated at the last major festival of the school year.

The Rams traveled to Roland-Story High School for the Iowa High School Music Association State Large Group Contest this past Saturday. Choir Director David Heupel says the concert choir earned a Division I-Rating, making it the fifth consecutive year for that accomplishment. He tells Raccoon Valley Radio, he knew four days prior to their performance on Saturday that the students had peaked and were ready to go. Heupel explains how it feels to make it five straight years at the State Large Group Contest with a Division I-Rating.

“Yeah, that’s something else and the seniors know. And I saw one at a graduation party (on Sunday) and he said, ‘Yeah, we wanted to keep that going.’ So, I’m glad that they’re proud of that and it helps me.”

Band Director Wes Anderson says the concert band received a Division II-Rating on Saturday. Anderson believes the ensemble is heading in the right direction, as he witnessed several students who had turned a corner and became leaders this year. He points out that there are still areas where the students can improve, such as listening to each other, matching pitch and style. He is excited for next year, as the concert band graduates one senior this year, and there is a huge incoming freshmen class that will bring the group up to its highest amount of youth he has ever had in his tenure.