Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Congratulations to all the students on your accomplishments!
Front row: Lari Spitzer, 11th grade; Alexis McGowan, 12th grade. Back row: Josh Ellenburg 7th grade; Riley Griffin, 8th grade; Christina Dowdy, 9th grade; Cody King, 10th grade.
Photo provided by Michele Carmode, Bernie R-XIII Schools.
Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Poplar Bluff, Missouri - Nine high school choirs performed in the Tinnin Fine Arts Center on March 22 and 29, as Three Rivers College hosted their 16th Annual Three Rivers District Music Festival. The event was open to the public, and friends and family members of the musicians were invited to attend.
The Festival is one of 20 such events in the state, where local choirs and choir members compete for spots in the State Music Festival in Columbia, Mo., on May 2 and 3. A “1” rating in the solo and ensemble competitions on March 29 ensure a spot in the state competitions in May.
Dexter Senior High School Honors Choir and Select Choir earned a "1" rating, which is classified as a superior rating.
"I am so proud of them and their commitment and dedication to this program," commented DHS Choral Director Jamie Sepulvado.
High Schools with choirs attending the festival were: Bloomfield, Central (New Madrid County), Dexter, Doniphan, Greenville, and Poplar Bluff.
“We’re pleased to be able to host this competition for the 16th year in a row. It’s a great opportunity for these young musicians to come together, learn, and test their skills,” said William “Buddy” White, Instructor of Music at Three Rivers College. “We expect approximately 2,000 students to perform over the two days of the festival. It’s really a community effort organizing and pulling this event off!”
Several vocalists will be representing Dexter that the State level. Reale Cook, a senior, will be taking a vocal solo. Reale will also be in a women's trio with junior Shelby Gathings and sophomore Lauren Thrower.
Angel Maze, a freshman will be taking a solo and a women's trio with Sarah Miller, Caroline Powers, who are both freshman as well.
Brooks Propst will also be taking a solo to Columbia in May.
Shown in the photo above are Sarah Miller and Brooks Propst on the back row. Caroline Powers, Angel Maze in the center and Reale Cook and Lauren Thrower in front. Shelby Gathings was unavailable for the photo.
Three Rivers College is committed to contributing to the quality of life in Southeast Missouri with quality, affordable higher education opportunities and community services that support and encourage the economic, civic, and cultural vitality of the region. For more information about college and workforce programs and upcoming events, visit trcc.edu.
Below is the entire Dexter Senior High School Choir including the Honors Choir and Select Choir. Congratulations to all the students for their hard work and good luck in Columbia.
You will have one more opporutnity to see these awesome students sing. On May 10th at 6:30 p.m. they will host a "Rockin' Out for Riley" Pop Concert. Riley Rickman is a DHS senior undergoing treatment for Leukemia was diagnosed over a month ago. A separate article will be posted soon.
Written by
Erin Lauters, Student Writer SMT
Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter Senior High School Jazz Cats traveled to MAC on March 1, 2014. The Cats gathered at the school eager to go on this annual trip. The Dexter Senior High School Jazz Cats played almost as soon as they got off the bus on Saturday.
They then listened to other bands and had a pizza break. After that, at noon, the clinician Roger Ingram, a trumpet player shared tips at a master class. After delivering a few inspiring facts about a career in music, he dismissed and the bands got started.
The Dexter T.S. Hill Middle School Jazz Cats played. The awards came shortly after, and the Middle School got first place, and the High School got third place. Following the awards, a concert took place featuring the clinician on lead trumpet.
Written by
Erin Lauters, Student Writer SMT
Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter Middle School Band performed in the middle school gym on Tuesday, March 11, 2014. The members of both the Dexter Middle School seventh and eighth grade bands were excited to perform as this music brought some songs the parents would know and brought Spring along with them.
The first song, conducted by Mr. Wade was "Y.M.C.A.". As the crowd shuffled in their seats eager to move but too embarrass to try, the sign the concert had an enjoyable start was prominent. Following the "Y.M.C.A.", Mr. Wade directed "Locomotion".
Mr. Jinkerson, the new Middle School band director for next year, was excited to conduct his pieces of pop music. He started by saying how excited he was to have received the job for next year and to work with all the children with music in the future.
He conducted "Takin' Care of Business" as well as the always popular "Smoke on the Water". He then let Miss Shupbach take the stand. She is a student teacher from Southeast Missouri State University, who much like Mr. Jinkerson has a job ready for her at the end of this year at Bell City taking the place of Mrs. Wade. She directed "Radioactive", a newer piece in this set.
Mr. Rybolt took the stand. For the first song, he chose "Low Rider". For the final song explained his love of Bon Jovi music when announcing "You Give Love a Bad Name".
Written by
Erin Lauters, Student Writer SMT
Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter Senior High School Band performed in the auditorium at Dexter Senior High School on Thursday, March 13, 2014. The group, filled with high school students and middle school students alike, entered in on the stage with a full set of music ready to play.
The Concert Band played all the pieces they will be playing for contest on March 22, 2014. These pieces include "Simple Gifts" directed by Miss Shupbach, and "Seal Lullaby", and "March from Somerset" directed by Mr. Rybolt. After playing these pieces, the middle school students exited the stage, and the high school prepared to perform their last concert band piece, "Andrew Lloyd Webber" directed by Mr. Jinkerson. He was as excited as he could be while directing this piece, which was a mash-up of several Broadway musicals.
The Jazz Cats took the stage soon after and began their set with "Groovin' Hard". They followed that with "Malagueña","I Remember Clifford", and "St. Louis Blues".
After that they then commemorated the Beatles by playing "Norwegian Wood", which the crowd seemed to love.
