Solo and Ensemble ‘Outstanding Performance’ goes to MFL MarMac group

By Audrey Posten, Times-Register

For the fourth time in five years, MFL MarMac music students have earned a prestigious “Outstanding Performance” at Solo and Ensemble. Only two vocal and two instrumental performances­—one for each of the four centers at the contest—receive the honor.

“It shows how hard we work and how hard our director works to make us the best possible,” said Emme Schroeder, a member of the mixed ensemble that received an “OP” for their rendition of “O Love.”

Other group members included Karlie Hagensick, Abby Schellhorn, Hailee Corlett, Jaxton Schroeder, Gabe McGeough, Austin Schlee, Jonah Wille, Sam Frailey, Ella Kann, Kaylee Bachman and Franci Mezera.

Developed by Elaine Hagenberg and based on an 1882 writing from Scottish minister George Matheson, “O Love” wasn’t a new song for the students. At least five ensemble members had sung it for previous contests, including a Division I rated performance a year ago.

Director Jaydeane Berns contemplated not pulling it out this season, though.

“But they begged,” she recalled. “They were like, ‘Please, please, we love this song.’”

Members were attracted to “O Love” for its beauty. It’s been known to bring people—both singers and audience members—to tears.

“The chords in it are all really pretty,” described Bachman.

“And the lyrics too,” added Wille. “It’s modeled after a poem, so the lyrics really make the song.”

For Berns, it’s the harmonies.

“There’s a middle section that is absolutely gorgeous,” she said. “I literally had chills. It was that moment of, no matter what their rating was, I didn’t care. The music they were making was so beautiful.”

Ensemble members said having previous knowledge of the song, albeit in different years, helped. Berns forms groups purposefully, mixing freshmen in with older, experienced singers. She also focuses on how well their voices blend and if members can sing independently.

That was important in “O Love,” she said, because there’s a point where the ensemble goes into six-part harmony.

“Jonah and Karlie sang their own harmony and everyone else was split into four groups,” Berns explained. “That takes practice and dedication, and it takes a good ear and confidence. I tried to find a good group that would blend and work well together and bring experience to the ensemble.”

The ensemble started working together in early March and practiced tirelessly until Solo and Ensemble, which was held April 2 at Waukon.

Early on, said Mezera, there were inklings it would be good.

“But I think we were kind of overwhelmed. We knew it would take practice,” she shared.

“Even the day we sang it, we were still working to touch it up,” added Bachman.

Part of that was because this Solo and Ensemble was the first in-person contest for most students, noted Wille, a junior.

“For the juniors and everyone below us, this was our first contest. Last year we did it virtual, and our freshman year it got cancelled. For the seniors, it’s been three years since they were freshmen,” he said. “When we did a virtual contest last year, we were able to use music. This year, everything had to be memorized. So it’s a big step for everybody.”

The ensemble also performed without a director this year, relying on one another to pull it all together.

That connection is part of what made the “O Love” group so successful, according to Kann.

“It’s a great bonding experience,” she described. “You are able to see expressions and the emotions they develop while singing the song.”

“We’ve been working so hard on it,” reflected Corlett, “so to finally find the group that made it come alive was really nice. It’s nice to finally get an OP on the song.”

The outstanding performance for “O Love” wasn’t the only Solo and Ensemble highlight, though. Out of 25 performances, MFL MarMac high school music students received 18 Division I ratings.

Berns and the students credited the school’s accompanists, Karen Suddendorf, Ric Benzing and Chris Hadley, for aiding in that success. Hard work and dedication are also key factors.

“Part of that goes back to not giving up in the practice room, not accepting that it’s fine, that we don’t need to tweak that. To keep working until you hit the performance floor,” Berns said. “I love this time of year and working with the smaller groups and working at perfecting their technique. And I think that carries over to large group. They take what they’ve learned and apply it.”

It helps that the students also enjoy Solo and Ensemble. 

“It’s my favorite choral thing we do,” said Jaxton Schroeder. “I really like the music.”

“You can make everything more dramatic—your dynamics and your diction,” Wille stated.

“The songs are all so beautiful,” agreed Corlett, “and when we get to put it all together at the end and are in the room in front of the judge, I feel like it all comes together.”

Bachman likes the difference of singing with a smaller group as opposed to the full choir.

“In this group, you have the people who are wanting to work and go to the next step,” she said. “When you have that, it pays off.”

Berns said the challenge is exciting for students, and some relish trying something new. That was the case for senior Gabe McGeough.

“I’d never done competition before, so Ms. B. kind of pushed me to do it, and I’m glad I did. It was fun,” he said.

The members, especially the seniors, also went to encourage and inspire future singers.

“We’re building it and trying to help the younger kids,” Schellhorn noted. “We’re here to leave a mark, and I think we’re doing that pretty well.”