130 Voices Strong Form the DMPS Elementary Honor Choir

The DMPS Elementary Honor Choir performs at the Central Campus auditorium.

The Des Moines Public Schools Elementary Honor Choir Festival was held this past Saturday at Central Campus Auditorium.

Approximately 130 students, representing 17 elementary schools, rehearsed with guest conductor, Andrew Ellingsen, during the day and then presented an afternoon concert in the auditorium.

This year’s musical selections include a culturally diverse repertoire from West African to Navajo to American folk music.

Members of the DMPS Elementary Honor Choir take a break during rehearsals at Central Campus.

The DMPS Honor Choir began in the mid 90’s, as a way to bring together the most talented and dedicated elementary singers. Guest conductors are brought in to work with the students during the day, and then to present the concert in the afternoon. Each school’s music teacher teaches the repertoire to the selected students during the weeks prior to the festival.  Students enjoy singing in the large group and meeting others from different schools.

Andrew Ellingsen teaches elementary music at John Cline Elementary in Decorah, IA and General Music Methods at Luther College.  Ellingsen has directed children’s choirs in both school and church settings for more than a decade.  He earned his B.A. at Luther College and his M.A.M.E. at the University of St. Thomas with a dual concentration in Kodály and Orff Schulwerk.  He has served on the OAKE national board, is a Past President of both the Midwest Kodály Music Educators of America and the Kodály Chapter of Minnesota, and was on the board for Minnesota Orff.  Ellingsen also teaches in the SMU Orff Course in Dallas and has presented at both OAKE and AOSA national conferences.