2012-2013 Choral Activities
All-State Camp
On August 2-3, 2012 a student attended Central College's first All-State Camp in Pella, IA. Three more students joined for the Meistersinger All-State Camp at Wartburg College in Waverly, IA. Mr. Ellerston accompanied the students to this event.
| All-State Camp |
Voces8 Concert
The international award-winning octet, VOCES8, has established itself at the forefront of British a cappella. Performing a repertoire ranging from Renaissance polyphony to unique Jazz and Pop arrangements, the group has been praised for stunning performance, exquisite singing and creating a sound that spans the entire range of vocal color.
On October 8th, 2012, Rocket Chorale students had the opportunity to attend a concert by this renowned group and experience world class choral music.
On October 8th, 2012, Rocket Chorale students had the opportunity to attend a concert by this renowned group and experience world class choral music.
Fall Concert
On October 16th, 2012 the Junior Chorus and Rocket Chorale presented their first concert of the year under the direction of Mr. Ellerston and accompanist, Pat Meyer.
| Fall Concert Program |
Southeast ICDA Honor Choir
4 Rocket Chorale students participated in the Southeast ICDA Honor Choir on November 8th, 2013. This was a wonderful educational opportunity for the students working on the All-State music to perform the music.
Veteran's Day
On November 9, 2012 The 5th and 6th Grade Blakesburg Elementary students commemorated our veterans in the Four County Veteran's Day Ceremony singing the song "Proud of Our Veterans" under the direction of Mr. Ellerston. The junior high band under the direction of Dezirae Russell also performed at this event in tribute to the heroes of our country.
| Veteran's Day Performance Letter |
Junior High Winter Concert
On December 3, 2012 the Junior High Choir performed their Christmas concert in collaboration with the junior high bands. The bands were under the direction of Dezirae Russell. Pat Meyer collaborated with the choir on piano for this performance as well.
| Junior High Christmas Concert Program |
High School Winter Concert
On December 6th, 2012 the Rocket Chorale performed their Christmas concert in collaboration with the senior high bands. The band was under the direction of Joe Overton. Pat Meyer collaborated with the choir on piano for this performace. At this concert, the Rocket Chorale premiered the song "Ordinary Santa" written by Mr. Ellerston's sister, Julia Ellerston. Mr. Ellerston played cello in addition to Pat Meyer for this song.
| High School Winter Concert Program |
| HS Christmas Concert Article |
Eddyville Christmas Concert
On December 17th, 2012 all the 5th and 6th grade Eddyville Elementary students presented their annual Christmas concert with the rest of their school. The K-4 performers were under the direction of Susan Rowley.
| Eddyville Christmas Concert Program |
| Rocket Article |
Blakesburg Christmas Concert
On December 18th, 2012 all the 5th and 6th grade Blakesburg Elementary students presented their annual Christmas concert with the rest of their school. The K-4 performers were under the direction of Susan Rowley.
| Blakesburg Christmas Program |
Westminster Choir College Concert
Praised by The New York Times for its “full-bodied, incisive singing,” the Westminster Choir also forms the core of the Westminster Symphonic Choir, which has performed and recorded with the leading conductors and orchestras of our time. The Symphonic Choir’s 2012-2013 season includes a performances of Verdi's Requiem and Bach's St. Matthew Passion with the Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin; Berg's Wozzeck with the London Philharmonia conducted by Esa Pekka Salonen; Villa-Lobos' Choros No. 10 and Estevez Cantata criolla with the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela conducted by Gustavo Dudamel; Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 with the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra conducted by Daniel Barenboim and Mendelssohn's Elijah with the Westminster Festival Orchestra conducted by Joe Miller.
On January 15th, 2013 6 EBF students attended the Westminster Choir College Concert in Des Moines, IA.
On January 15th, 2013 6 EBF students attended the Westminster Choir College Concert in Des Moines, IA.
Simon Estes Roots and Wings Concert
On January 20, 2013 the Rocket Chorale joined 200 of Wapello County's high school singers in a concert with world renowned bass-baritone, Simon Estes. This was one in a series of concerts in Simon Estes's touring of Iowa's 99 counties. He contributed 50% of his fee from this concert to the Simon Estes Iowa Foundation to support scholarships for graduating high school seniors in the counties he has performed.
| Ottumwa Courier |
Variety Show
On January 24, 2013 the EBF Junior Senior High presented its annual variety show. This included performances by selected soloists, the Rocket Chorale, Junior High Chorus, Speech Team, and Drill Team.
| Variety Show Program |
Singfest Honor Choir 2013
Seniors Jessica Bay, Morgan Kurimski, Morgan Lee, Kindra Mallonee, and Paula Morrison performed in the 2013 Singfest Honor Choir at Central College on February 14. Mr. Ellerston, an alumnus of Central, accompanied the choirs on cello in the evening concert involving 186 singers from 26 schools. This year Central had 250 nominees so the competition was stiff. The concert concluded with a combined choir selection of the high students and the Central College A Cappella Choir and brought the audience to its feet. The next performance of the EBF Choirs will be the annual pops concert and takes place March 19 at 7:00 P.M. in the EBF Junior Senior High gym.
| Singfest Program 2013 |
Vocal Pops Concert
On March 19th, the Rocket Chorale and Junior High Chorus presented their annual Pops Concert featuring the music of many Billboard Hot 100 artists such as: Dennis De Young, Michael Bublè, the Beatles, Michael Jackson, Neil Sedaka, Jerome Kern, Owl City, Katy Perry, One Direction, Josh Groban, Train, and Christina Aguilera. A trio of junior high students performed an inspirational arrangement of "Beautiful" in addition to the ensemble songs.
| Vocal Pops Concert Program |
Solo and Ensemble Contest
Due to the winter weather we had 3 students compete at solo and ensemble contest at Pella Christian High School. Two students earned a division II rating (excellent).
Big Bad Musical
On April 12th and 13th at 7:00 P.M. the EBF Music and Drama Departments premiered the "Big Bad Musical." It involved a court trial to determine the guilt or innocence of the Big Bad Wolf for three counts of huffing and puffing with intent to destroy, two counts of attempted murder by ingestion, one
count of grandmother impersonation, four counts of attempted sheep abduction
and seventeen counts of lurking. The audience acted as the jury and decided one of three possible endings for the musical.
| Big Bad Musical Program |
FFA Choir
One student participated in the FFA Choir at the 85th Iowa FFA Association Leadership Conference (State Convention) this year in Ames, Iowa from April 21-23, 2013.
Junior High Spring Concert
On April 25 the 5th grade band , 6th grade band, Junior High Concert Band and Chorus performed for the EBF community in the Jr./Sr. High Gym. Student teacher, Kendra Damisch, guest conducted the junior high band under the wonderful direction of Dezirae Russell. The chorus sang the American folk song "The Water Is Wide", the popular arrangement of "Over the Rainbow", the whimsical song "The Cat Came Back", and ended with the energetic "Dynamite" under direction of Christoper Ellerston and the capable hands of Pat Meyer on piano.
| JH Spring Concert Program |
Fame The Musical
On Friday, April 26, the Thespian Club, musical participants, and the Rocket Chorale attended the performance of the Broadway musical "Fame!" at Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, IA. This was a free performance and a great opportunity for our students to experience musical theater. Donna Bohlmann and Mr. Ellerston accompanied the students.
High School Spring Concert: Saluting our Seniors of 2013!
On April 30, the audience filled the gym in eager anticipation to hear the final performance of EBF's senior band and choir students, who wore their prom attire. The Rocket Chorale opened the performance with a "Two-Part Alleluia", sang the Brazilian a cappella composition "Salmo 150", and sang a ballad saluting the seniors called "Stand As One." They proceeded to sing a spiritual "Headed for the Promised Land" and closed their portion of the concert with "Make Them Hear You" from the Prince of Egypt. The seniors filled the front row and each sang their final solos at EBF. Underclassmen introduced the seniors, indicated their future plans, and shared heartfelt comments and memories regarding their time at school in music. The high school band then opened their portion of the concert with the Scottish folk song "Loch Lomond." Kendra Damisch, student teacher from Central College, directed the ensemble in a medley of "Les Miserables". The students rose to feet to welcome her to the podium and played the piece with a gorgeous trumpet solo from Anna Haselhuhn, rich clarinet sound, and expressive playing from the rest of the ensemble. The band closed the concert with "Flight of Valor" under the direction of Joe Overton. This piece memorialized the victims of Flight 93 from September 11, 2001 and the students truly inspired the audience with their playing, bring the audience to feet at the conclusion of their playing. We we truly miss our seniors and appreciate their contributions these past four years.
| HS Spring Concert Program |