At 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 9, Cannon Falls Choir and Band students loaded onto a school bus and headed toward Kenyon-Wanamingo High School. After taking a year off for COVID-19, the students were ready for yet another large group contest. “Contest,” as it is called by the students and teachers, is an opportunity for the group to perform their music pieces in front of three judges. Each judge then rates the group out of 40 points on how well they performed their pieces. The number value then translates to a rank, either fair, good, excellent, or superior. The students are graded on accuracy, dynamics, tone, appearance, and many other technical aspects of their performance. 

Sue Franke-Clark has been the choir teacher for Cannon Falls High School for 27 years and has brought her choir to large-group every year, excluding last year due to the pandemic. This year, the choir received rankings of 35, 34, 35 resulting in a superior ranking, although it was no easy feat.  “The judges this year were really tough. I thought their ranking scales were a bit low. One of them worked at St. Olaf and I think they forget that we are from a high school,” commented Franke, “I also picked level one songs, that’s the hardest level. We had good songs and the judges knew it.” The group’s performance held special weight because it will be the last contest Franke will be conducting before her retirement: “I don’t think I could have asked for more from them because I think in their hearts they really wanted to do the best they could.”  

Cannon Falls band teacher Mike Legvold expressed similar positivity in regards to his group’s performance: “I think they did really well, especially considering coming out of a pandemic. We have had a lot of catch up growth and it feels really good”. The band of 57 students performed exceptionally this year, receiving rankings of 35, 36, and 36 resulting in a superior ranking. They performed two pieces and were ranked in the same way as the choir was, based on how accurately they performed the music, their general appearance, and performance style. 

Both groups walked away with another victory under their belts, but many things they can improve upon as well. Each judge left a few comments that will fuel the students and conductors as they prepare for the next few weeks that are full of concerts and solo contests.