The Bluffton High School Choral Department was one of only 34 programs in the state to receive an Indiana State School Music Association All-Music Award for choir during the 2022-2023 school year.
The announcement was made Monday. Also announced were band and orchestra awards. A special banner will be presented for display at BHS.
“We are very proud of the Bluffton High School choir program,” BHS Principal Steve Baker said. “The students along with their director, Mr. Jack Mellen, have put in many hours of work throughout the school year to earn this award. They have represented Bluffton well with their commitment and dedication to themselves and to the program.”
The All Music Award requires at least one soloist and at least one ensemble to attend the State Solo and Ensemble Competition. Also, the choir must receive a Gold rating in the ISSMA Jazz Festival, and a Gold rating at the ISSMA Organizational Festival.
Karlie Brown and Caroline Buskirk both attended the State Solo and Ensemble contest as soloists and received Gold and Colla Voce, the after-school choir, attended State for solo and ensemble as well. Colla Voce also received the gold at the Jazz Festival, and the entire curricular choir received Gold at the Organizational Festival.
“I am really proud of all the hard work the kids put in, both on their own and as a group,” said Director of Vocal Activities Jack Mellen. “Through that hard work, they have earned this award and I hope they are proud of themselves as well.”
Mellen said the choir’s final final concert of the year will be held at 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 22, in the high school auditorium and will feature nearly a dozen pop songs spanning several decades.
“I believe that a choir of this level will do these songs justice and elevate them to more than they were before,” Mellen said.
