Madelyn Helgerson, Aidan Jones of Waukon High School selected to 2020 All-State Chorus

Thursday, October 1, the joint committees of the Iowa High School Music Association and the Iowa Music Educators Association voted unanimously to cancel the 2020 All-State Music Festival due to health safety concerns presented by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The joint committees were also committed to moving forward with the All-State Audition process.

Auditions were held virtually October 22-24, with a total of 3,483 students auditioning virtually by regions: LeMars, Hampton-Dumont-CAL, Independence, Atlantic, Indianola and Washington, representing 263 high schools. A total of 1,081 instrumental and vocal music students were selected to receive the All-State honor, including a pair of Waukon High School vocal students under the direction of Sarah J. Bieber, Vocal Music Director for sixth-12th grades in the Allamakee Community School District.

Madelyn Helgerson, a junior at Waukon High School, was chosen as a 2020 All-State Chorus member. She is the daughter of Erik and Janelle Helgerson of rural Lanisng, and is an Alto 1 vocalist.

Aidan Jones, a senior at Waukon High School, was also chosen to be a 2020 All-State Chorus. He is the son of Gregg and Maura Jones of Waukon, and is a Bass 2 vocalist. Jones was previously an All-State Chorus member in 2018 and an All-State Chorus Alternate in 2019.

Out of the 1,081 students selected to receive this honor, 268 students were selected for the All-State Band, 211 students were selected for the All-State Orchestra, and 601 students were selected for the All-State Chorus. These students represent the top 1.7% of all Iowa high school musicians.

“While we are saddened that the festival concert itself will not be able to take place to celebrate their achievement, that in no way diminishes the honor of what these young musicians have achieved,” Bieber shared. “They are in every way All-State Musicians!”