Albert Lea High School choral director, Diane Heaney, announced that five Albert Lea High School vocalists were chosen for this year’s All-State Choirs. The students were some of 320 choral students selected for the elite organizations out of over 2000 students who auditioned statewide.

Juniors Zach Wilke and Tim Stoneking will sing tenor in the Men’s Chorus under the direction of Gary Schwartzhoff from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Holly Ryks and Mollie Hernandez, juniors, will sing in the mixed chorus under the direction of Angela Broeker from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, and sophomore, Claire Buendorf, will sing in the Women’s Chorus under the direction of Hilary Apfelstadt of Ohio State University.

Jillian Malepsy of Waseca High School (formerly from Albert Lea) was one of two students from Waseca chosen to perform in the All-State Women’s Choir. She is the daughter of Tim and Carrie Malepsy and Laura Sternhagen. She is the grandaughter of Bill and Lorraine Malepsy, Rosie Pollock and Bob Ackland, all of Albert Lea.

These students will attend the All-State Choir Camp to be held at St. Olaf College in Northfield from Aug. 2-7. They will work all week on their music and present a concert on Saturday morning, Aug. 7, at Boe Chapel on the St. Olaf campus. The All-State Choirs will re-assemble again in February 2011 at Orchestra Hall, where they will present their programs for the music teachers attending the Minnesota Music Educators Midwinter Conference.

Heaney, who is serving as the Minnesota Music Educators choral vice president, will be in charge of the camp, organizing the students, section coaches, music and professional conductors.