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Steubenville students heading to state

STATE BOUND — Steubenville High School seniors Katie Riley and Gabe Ensell have been selected to participate in the Ohio All-State Choir in February. The Cleveland event will feature 175 choir members from across the state who will perform for the Ohio Music Education Association Conference. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — Steubenville High School is singing the praises of two of its students who will be part of the Ohio All-State Choir. Seniors Gabe Ensell and Katie Riley have been selected to join the 175-member group that will rehearse and perform at Cleveland State University Feb. 5-7.

The Ohio All-State Choir, sponsored by the Ohio Music Educators Association, includes opportunities for students to work with conductors to rehearse and perform for the OMEA Conference, along with the All-State Orchestra, Band and Jazz Band. The performance will take place at 2 p.m. Feb. 7 at the Cleveland Convention Center. The guest conductor will be Jonathan Palant, associate dean of arts and director of choral activities at the University of Texas.

Ensell, son of Gabriel and Nicole Ensell of Steubenville, will perform as a bass 1/baritone at the event. Despite having experienced the event before, he stated he is “ecstatic” to take part in the state choir again.

“We’re just one of the parts with kids from across the state,” Ensell commented. “I’m glad it’s me and Katie. This is my second year and I know what to expect. I’m really excited and it’s a very good experience.”

Riley, daughter of Michael and Paula Riley of Steubenville, will perform as an alto 1 for the choir. She explained this will be a chance to enhance her voice.

“I’m really excited,” she stated. “This is my first year in the ensemble and Gabe’s second. The music is much more difficult, but I’m excited to meet people, perfect my technique and have a fun experience.”

To qualify, students must prepare a classical vocal piece that is suitable for auditions and submit an audio recording at the end of the school year. Riley and Ensell’s recordings were submitted in May. The two were officially accepted into the state choir in August.

SHS choir director Scott Wolodkin announced he is proud of the duo’s achievement. He noted the high school’s choral department has had students perform in the All-State Choir the past 17 years.

“Being selected for the All-State Choir is a recognition of both vocal skill and musicianship,” Wolodkin said. “Unlike high school choirs that are typically made up of students from the same school or district, the All-State Choir brings together talented singers from all over the state. It offers an opportunity for students to work with renowned conductors and perform alongside other talented musicians from across the state.”

“When I first started the All-State Choir audition process in 2008, only two students were accepted of the two we sent for auditions,” Wolodkin continued. “Every year since, we have had at least two — but as many as nine — members attend in one year. This experience allows the students to sing with their peers who are their equals. They get to bring home new concepts that they help teach our current choir members.”

Wolodkin said Ensell and Riley will have an opportunity to showcase their talents in front of a larger audience, meet new people and experience the thrill of performing at the highest level.

“With hundreds of talented high school singers competing for a spot, the process is highly competitive, making selection a true honor,” he added. “This is a wonderful opportunity for the students who are serious about singing in choir. Not only do they get to perform with 175 members, they get to sing with the best the state of Ohio has to offer this year.”

Wolodkin himself was familiar with the experience as a 1986 member of the West Virginia All-State Choir, saying it was an incredible experience. “I know how exciting this event can be and I am equally as excited when I get to watch them perform at the conference,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, both students hope to study music education following high school, although they are still applying to universities. Ensell was looking at Cleveland State, but said his dream schools are New York University and the University of Cincinnati. Riley said she favors sites she has toured, including Ohio University, Duquesne University, Cleveland State, Baldwin-Wallace University and the University of Pittsburgh. She said she would love to attend the Disney College program in Florida.

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