Six Powell High School students have returned after a successful trip to Wyoming All-State Music Jan. 15-17 in Sheridan. Out of the six students only two had attended before, for the rest it was an entirely new experience. 

At All-State Music, select students learn from notable conductors in band, choir or orchestra. All-State Music ends with a performance on the final night that showcases the students’ hard work during the exclusive three day event.

Seniors Hannah Sears and Gabby Paterson attended in the band category, while junior Maddy Johnson was the only Powell student to be selected for orchestra. Junior Breckin Streeter represented Powell in choir along with sophomore Julian Frost and freshman Levi Hawley. Sears and Johnson were the only All-State veterans to attend.

“The music choices were really awesome and our director, she was from Chicago, she was very professional about everything and I just feel like I learned a lot from her,” Sears said. 

Johnson appreciated the lessons she learned from this year’s orchestra conductor who taught students to listen to the people around them and adjust accordingly.

“So we move as a whole instead of just a bunch of individuals,” Johnson said.

Paterson, who attended for the first time, said she was unsure what to expect. She left happy with the memories she made and the lessons learned about music and music history.

For the choir attendees, the standout aspect of the event was being able to rehearse with other students who had a love and understanding of the music. 

As a freshman Hawley has the potential to attend All-State for all four years of his high school career. After his first taste of All-State he said this is something he hopes to accomplish. 

“For me, I’ve heard about 15 All-State choirs. And I could say that this was probably the best one that I’ve heard,” PHS choir director Rachel Schoessler said. “A lot of it depends on the director and the director this year was phenomenal. She related to the students a lot and that’s sometimes difficult in a situation where you’re only around people for a couple of days. But she was able to pull things out of them that are not necessarily tangible.”