Each year, in the fall, during the last week in October the North Suburban Conference, in which Spring Lake Park is a member of, holds it’s annual Mixed Choir Festival. A school location is selected and each high school in the conference takes their upper grade auditioned choir to perform and experience a clinic. A “clinic” is an improvement session with a qualified choir “clinician.” This is usually an experienced high school or college director who can listen to the choir objectively and provide helpful criticism.

 

In January and February the North Suburban Conference holds it’s annual All Conference Choir event. High school directors from conference schools select 2 mixed quartets (SATB) made up of it’s most experienced students and they are given music to prepare. On an appointed day, students are transported to the host schools for a full day of rehearsal with an prestigious conductor.

 

Past conductors have been Axel Theimer from St. Johns University, Chris Aspaas from St. Olaf College, Mary Kay Geston from Northwestern College, Bruce Phelps from Anoka High School and David Mennike from Concordia University to name a few.

 

After a full day of rehearsal, students return to the host school another day, this time after school, and rehearse again and perform a concert in the evening. Attending students may purchase a CD or the concert for a minimal fee.