Once A Warrior Choir

Years ago, Cathy had the Concert Choir’s cassette recordings converted to CDs, and now Craig DeWit is digitizing them so all of us can listen again. Below you’ll find each year’s recordings along with the program, track list and member roster from the original inserts. A big thank-you to Craig DeWit for all the work of preserving these recordings.

New years will be added here as they are digitized. You can also follow along and share memories in our Facebook group.

1991–92 Concert Choir

CD cover: Washington High School Concert Choir, Cathy Britton, Director, 1991-92

Washington High School Concert Choir, Cathy Britton, Director. Only the cover of this year’s CD has been shared so far — if you have the track list or a member list, please let us know!

Listen to the 1991–92 recordings

1992–93 Concert Choir

CD insert: 1992-93 Concert Choir member list and story of the May 1, 1993 international music festival in Toronto, where the choir was named Grand Champions
CD insert: Washington High School Concert Choir 1993, Side A and Side B track list, accompanists and instrumentalists

On May 1, 1993, the choir competed at an international music festival in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in three categories: mixed concert choir, female choir and show choir. The Mixed Concert Choir earned a superior rating and first place, the Concert Choir Women placed first with an excellent rating, and the 93rd Edition earned a superior rating and a second-place trophy. The choir was named Grand Champions of the festival.

Program

Side A

  • Behold a Star from Jacob Shining – Felix Mendelssohn
  • Zigeunerleben (Gypsy Life) – Robert Schumann (soloists Amy Holtz, Melanie Banghart, Anthony Vogel, Heath Weber) *
  • A Hymn to the Virgin – Benjamin Britten
  • Fa Una Canzona – Orazio Vecchi
  • Soldier, Won’t You Marry Me – Paul Halley, from “Love Songs for Springtime” *
  • Blessed Be That Maid Marie – John Leavitt
  • The Eyes of All Wait Upon Thee – Jean Berger

Side B

  • For the Beauty of the Earth – arr. John Rutter
  • Lirum, Lirum – Thomas Morley
  • How Lovely Are the Messengers – Felix Mendelssohn
  • I Believe This Is Jesus – arr. Undine Smith Moore *
  • If I Loved You, from “Carousel” – arr. Kirby Shaw
  • Heart, We Will Forget Him – words Emily Dickinson, music James Mulholland (Concert Choir Women) *
  • Tomorrow Will Be My Dancing Day – John Rutter (Concert Choir Women) *

* Performed at the Toronto choir festival.

Accompanists: Samuel Aguilar, Amy Lindstrom, Aimee Havard, Rachel Leininger, Alison Gantvoort. Instrumentalists: Kara Dirkson (recorder), Aimee Havard (finger cymbals), Sam Aguilar (hand drum).

Members

Sam Aguilar, Cody Anema, Maren Andersen, Melissa Anderson★, Melanie Banghart, Brad Boyd★, Cindy Bush, Craig DeWit★, Kara Dirkson★, Roy Edwards, Kathy Engel, Kelli Fernau, Kelly Freeman, Jill Fries, Ali Gantvoort★•, Sara Goldammer, Nikki Greguson, Tina Gruenig, Aimee Havard, Shelli Himes, Steve Hirsch, Amy Holtz★, Betsy Jensen, Brian Johnson★•, David Lafrentz★•, Melanie Lee, Nikki Lee★, Rachel Leininger★•, Amy Lindstrom, Beth Malde★•, Theron McChesney★•, Jenny McGregor, Kami Meyer, Jayme Mogen, Jenny Mogen, Jenny Mueller, Tami Olivier, Joey Potratz, Alan Riedel★, Jenny Roberts, Lacey Schaaf, Angie Schuldt, Chris Schur, Becky Skalsky, Becky Smit, Stacy Sorenson, Cori Stefek, Dawn Stirrat, Jessica Tillotson, Anthony Vogel★•, Rachel Vogel, Heath Weber★•, Jeremy White, Jill Wilhelmi, Alyssa Wissink★

★ All-State Chorus 1992 · • ACDA Honors Chorus 1992

Listen to the 1992–93 recordings

1993–94 Concert Choir

CD insert cover: Washington High School presents the 1993-94 Concert Choir, Directors: Cathy Britton, Stacey Uthe
CD insert: 1993-94 Concert Choir Side A and Side B track list, recorded May 18, 1994 at First United Methodist Church, Sioux Falls, SD
CD insert: 1993-94 Concert Choir member list; star marks All-State Chorus 1993, cross marks ACDA Honors Choir 1993

Directed by Cathy Britton and Stacey Uthe. Recorded May 18, 1994, at First United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Program

Side A

  • Kyrie Eleison, from Litany in B♭, K. 125 – W. A. Mozart (soloists Angie Schuldt, Kara Dirkson)
  • Der Abend (Evening), Op. 64 No. 2 – Johannes Brahms
  • This Train – Spiritual, arr. Fenno Heath (soloist Alyssa Wissink)
  • Ave Maria, from Fifteen Anthems, Op. 37 No. 6 – Sergei Rachmaninoff
  • Last Act Finale from “The Gondoliers” – Gilbert and Sullivan (secondo piano Greg Handel)

Side B

  • Kyrie, from Mass in C Major, Op. 86 – Ludwig van Beethoven, ed. K. L. Scott (soloists Kami Meyer, Kathy Enget, Anthony Vogel, Alan Riedel)
  • Now Is the Month of Maying – Thomas Morley
  • Carol of the Bells – arr. Wilhousky
  • Once Upon a Dream, from “Jekyll and Hyde” – Wildhorn and Bricusse, arr. John Leavitt
  • All That Hath Life & Breath, Praise Ye the Lord! – René Clausen (soloist Kara Dirkson)
  • Red, Red Rose, from Four Robert Burns Ballads – James Mulholland

Accompanist: Aimee Havard.

Members

Maren Andersen★, Melissa Anderson★, Elyse Anderson, Charity Bartscher, Jesse Bowers★, Brad Boyd✚★, Cindy Bush★, Pam Bush, Craig DeWit★, Kara Dirkson★, Cheyenne Drogsvold★, Roy Edwards, Kathy Enget★, Sara Fonder, Jill Fries, Sara Goldammer, Don Hall, Aimee Havard, Steve Hirsch★, Jessie Hoel, Betsy Jensen★, Tracey Johnson, Jan Johnson, Melanie Lee, Alexis Leifheit, Mario Liddell★, Beth Lovro, Shawn Martin★, Jenny McGregor, Kami Meyer, Christina Miller, Kathy Misar, Jayme Mogen, Matt Munce, Rebekah Peterson, Lon Phrommany, Joey Potratz★, Jamie Quatier, Alan Riedel✚★, Jenny Roberts, Tanya Sandness★, Angie Schuldt, Becky Skalsky, Anna Smit, Andrea Thompson, Kathy VanDyke, Anne Van Velzen, Anthony Vogel✚★, Rachel Vogel, Jill Wilhelmi, Alyssa Wissink✚★

★ All-State Chorus 1993 · ✚ ACDA Honors Choir 1993

Listen to the 1993–94 recordings

1994–95 Concert Choir

There are no recordings available for this year.

1995–96 Concert Choir

CD insert cover: Washington High School Music Department presents the 1995-96 Concert Choir, Cathleen Britton, Conductor
CD insert: 1995-96 WHS Concert Choir, Cathleen Britton, conductor, Side A and Side B track list; starred selections performed at the Fourteenth Biennial North Central ACDA Convention, March 13, 1996, Lincoln, Nebraska
CD insert: 1995-96 Concert Choir members by section, Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass

Cathleen Britton, conductor. The starred selections were performed at the Fourteenth Biennial North Central ACDA Convention on March 13, 1996, in Lincoln, Nebraska, with accompanists Mrs. JoAnn Bender and Mrs. Stacey Uthe.

Program

Side A

  • Jubilate Deo – W. A. Mozart, arr. Robert Kendall *
  • Agnus Dei – Peter Williams *
  • Two Love Songs: For Thy Sweet Love; Sequel – Robert Young *
  • I’m Gonna Sing ’Til the Spirit Moves in My Heart – Moses Hogan *
  • I’ll Ay Call In By Yon Town – arr. Mack Wilberg *

Side B

  • O Vos Omnes – Tomás Luis de Victoria (printed “Ludovico Tommaso da Vittoria”) *
  • Tambur – arr. Lajos Bárdós
  • You Are the New Day – John David, arr. Peter Knight
  • Salmo 150 – Ernani Aguiar
  • America the Beautiful – Samuel Ward, arr. Alice Jordan (combined WHS Symphonic Band, Orchestra and Concert Choir)

* Performed at the North Central ACDA Convention.

Members

Soprano: Emily Breitag#, Rachel Bunger, Becky Cooper, Sarah Domier, Alicia Gray, Jenni Hagen, Tina Hatch#^, Joanna Hoffman, Kristin Johnson, Laura Koch, Veronica Oberg, Steffinnie Phrommany, Teri Ricketts, April Schave, Shasta Schur, Lorie Stanford, Corynn Stoltenberg, Molly Vetter^

Alto: Maggie Colleran, Melissa Gullickson, Kowanda Isakson, Heather Keenan, Crystal Kozel, Lori Malde, April Martin, Pam Mersch^, Stephanie Painter, Steph Piorier, Renee Raap, Bria Schulz, Jill Shepherd, Brandi Thooft, Natalie Tschetter, Randi Wallenberg*, Missy Wilson

Tenor: Kyle Haugen, Jason Jeffers, Andrew Lafrentz, DeeJay Nelson, Mat Nelson, Kolin Puthoff, Choy Sayasavanh

Bass: Jeremy Anderson, David Davison, Jason Fries, Chad Meirose, Kevin Meyer, Matt Piorier, Mark Spickelmier^, Lee Weisenburger, Andy Wingert

^ Officers · # Accompanist · * Outstanding Senior Award

Listen to the 1995–96 recordings

1996–97 Concert Choir

CD insert cover: Washington High School Concert Choir 1996-97, Mrs. Cathy Britton, Conductor
CD insert: 1996-97 Concert Choir member list and accompanists; asterisk marks 97th Edition

Mrs. Cathy Britton, conductor. Accompanists: Emily Breitag, Tina Hatch and Mrs. Gea Gjesdahl. The track list for this year hasn’t been shared yet.

Members

Laura Anderson, Sarah Anderson, Jeremy Anderson*, Jonathan Axworthy, April Bowers, Emily Breitag*, Eric Brynjulson*, Crystal Buckneberg, Maggie Colleran, Becky Cooper, Sarah Domier, Jason Fries, Emily Gran, Steve Grassrope, Kyle Haugen*, Melanie Jorstad, Heather Keenan, Jason Kolbrek, Crystal Kozel, Angy Kvigne, Andrew Lafrentz, Lori Malde*, Brienne Maner, April Martin, Amy McCart, Paige McCoy, Chad Meirose, Amber Miller, Mat Nelson*, Dee Jay Nelson*, Kari Nichols, Emily Nugent, Veronica Oberg*, Steffinnie Phrommany, Matt Piorier, Steph Piorier, Jason Priutt, Renee Raap, Josh Ricci, Teri Ricketts*, Choy Sayasavanh*, April Schave*, Bria Schulz, Shasta Schur, Jill Shepherd, Gretchen Spars*, Lorie Stanford, Corynn Stoltenberg*, Leif Thomas, Natalie Tschetter, Paul Varcoe, Amy Wegehaupt, Casey Wilson, Missy Wilson*, Andy Wingert*

* 97th Edition

Listen to the 1996–97 recordings

1997–98 Concert Choir

CD insert cover: Washington High School Concert Choir 1997-1998, Mrs. Cathleen Britton, Conductor, Carnegie Hall, Sunday, April 12, 1998
CD insert: Washington High School 1997-1998 Concert Choir, Under the Direction of Cathy Britton, member list and instrumentalists
Program insert for the Washington High School 1997–1998 Concert Choir recording, listing Side A and Side B songs, including the Carnegie Hall performance of April 12, 1998
1997–98 Concert Choir program

Mrs. Cathleen Britton, conductor. The highlight of the year: the choir performed at Carnegie Hall in New York on Sunday, April 12, 1998.

Instrumentalists: Kjersti Ellison and Dan Leistra (piano), Kris VanRoekel (flute), Kris Roust (oboe), Kylene Guse (harp), Liana Gadeliya and Dan Zhu (violin), Travis Jamison (bass), Rachel Engebrecht and Alan Nachtigal (percussion). The WHS Chamber Orchestra joined the choir on “Lacrymosa.”

Program

Side A

  • Erev Shel Shoshanim – arr. J. Klebanow *
  • Away From the Roll of the Sea – A. MacGillivray *
  • Ave Maria – F. Biebl *
  • Agnus Dei – D. Wagner (Carnegie Hall Festival Choir, Dr. Will Kesling, conductor)
  • Bile Them Cabbage Down – arr. Mack Wilberg
  • Rockin’ Jerusalem – André Thomas
  • Lacrymosa from “Requiem,” K. 626 – W. A. Mozart (with the WHS Chamber Orchestra)

Side B

  • My Shepherd Will Supply My Need – Mack Wilberg
  • Drinking Gourd – arr. André Thomas
  • Turn the World Around – arr. L. Farrow
  • American Folk Rhapsody – Linda Spevacek
  • Heilig – F. Mendelssohn
  • Wind – C. Jennings
  • Candlelight Carol – John Rutter
  • The Star-Spangled Banner – arr. Grotenhuis

* Carnegie Hall solo choir performance, April 12, 1998.

Members

Kenny Almont, Bobbi Anderson*, Jennifer Anderson*, Laura Anderson*, Renae Anderson*, Sarah Archer*, Eric Brynjulson*, Mike Buckley, Erin Buckneberg, Hope Christopherson, Matt Clark*, Andrew Connor, Scott Cooper, Jaron DeWit, Dana Dierks, Kjersti Ellison@, Kelly Flint, Agnessa Gadeliya*, Albina Gadeliya*, Emily Gran*, Anne Heber, Jared Hoffman, Melanie Jorstad*, Jason Kolbrek*, Dan Leistra@, Josh Lunt, Brienne Maner*, Nicole Martin, Amy McCart*, Brock Metzger, Mike Miles, Steve Morvent*, Kari Nichols*, Erik Odland, Melissa Painter*, Jason Pruitt*, Josh Ricci*, Kelly Shomper, Sara Smit, Gretchen Spars*, Doug Stoner, Laura Straw, Leif Thomas*, Justin Tvedt*, Melissa VanRoekel, Sarah VanRoekel, Paul Varcoe*, Kelly Wallenberg, Amy Wegehaupt*

* Seniors · @ Accompanist

Listen to the 1997–98 recordings

1998–99 Concert Choir

CD cover: Washington High School Concert Choir 1998-99, Cathleen E. Britton, Conductor
CD back insert: Washington High School 1998-99 Concert Choir, Conductor - Cathleen E. Britton, 17-track list

Cathleen E. Britton, conductor. This CD collects 17 favorites from the year, from “Elijah Rock” to the “Hallelujah Chorus” — including “Send Your Peace Upon Me, O God” by the choir’s own Daniel Leistra.

Program

  1. Elijah Rock – traditional, arr. Moses Hogan (3:33)
  2. Finale from “The Gondoliers” – Gilbert and Sullivan (2:47)
  3. Jingle Bells – arr. Gordon Langford (1:54)
  4. Venez, mes enfants – Noël d’Alsace, arr. Donald Patriquin (2:52)
  5. Wake Up, Ollie Brown – ring-shout, arr. Ben Allaway; Saint: Kjersti Ellison, Devil: Brock Metzger, Ollie Brown: Andrew Connor (4:56)
  6. If Music Be the Food of Love – David Dickau (4:49)
  7. O Magnum Mysterium – Morten Lauridsen (5:33)
  8. Masquerade from “The Phantom of the Opera” – Andrew Lloyd Webber (3:51)
  9. Riu, Riu, Chiu – 16th-century Spanish carol (3:46)
  10. Hallelujah Chorus from “Messiah” – G. F. Handel (4:02)
  11. How Excellent Thy Name, Hallelujah! – G. F. Handel (2:50)
  12. Send Your Peace Upon Me, O God – Daniel Leistra (4:52)
  13. Soldier, Won’t You Marry Me – Paul Halley (2:56)
  14. The Power of the Dream – arr. Bob Krogstad (5:48)
  15. Down Among the Dead Men – Ralph Vaughan Williams (2:36)
  16. The Battle of Jericho – arr. Moses Hogan (2:10)
  17. Heart, We Will Forget Him – James Mulholland (4:16)
Listen to the 1998–99 recordings

1999–2000 Concert Choir

CD cover: Washington High School Concert Choir 1999-2000, Cathleen E. Britton, Conductor
CD back insert: Washington High School 1999-2000 Concert Choir, Cathleen E. Britton - Conductor, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 15-track list

Cathleen E. Britton, conductor. The CD includes “Stay with Us,” sung by the Festival Choir at the St. Olaf Choral Festival.

Program

  1. The Water Is Wide – arr. René Clausen (5:29)
  2. Gloria from “Missa Kenya” – Paul Basler; soloist Seth Tornow (1:49)
  3. You Are the New Day – John David (2:14)
  4. What Sweeter Music – John Rutter (3:36)
  5. Awakening – Joseph M. Martin (6:28)
  6. Adiemus from “Songs of Sanctuary” (3:20)
  7. Gloria – Linda Williams (2:00)
  8. My Soul’s Been Anchored in the Lord – Moses Hogan (3:04)
  9. The Banks o’ Doon – arr. James Mulholland; oboe Alexandrea Ellison (3:48)
  10. ’Tis the Time of Yuletide Glee – Thomas Morley (1:56)
  11. Jingle Bells Festivo – arr. Sherri Porterfield (1:57)
  12. Laudate Dominum from “Vesperae solennes de confessore” – W. A. Mozart; soloist Lauren Olson (3:43)
  13. Alleluia – Randall Thompson (4:55)
  14. Prelude to Peace – Z. Randall Stroope (4:59)
  15. Stay with Us – Robert Scholz; Festival Choir at the St. Olaf Choral Festival (2:38)

Accompanists: Jessica Top, Jeena Lundgren and Anna Nelson. CD compiled by Ragtime Studios, Sioux Falls, SD.

Listen to the 1999–2000 recordings

2000–01 Concert Choir

Back of the Washington High School 2000–2001 Concert Choir CD, conducted by Cathleen E. Britton, listing 17 tracks recorded by Ragtime Studios in Sioux Falls
2000–2001 Concert Choir CD track list

Cathleen E. Britton, conductor. Recorded by Ragtime Studios, Sioux Falls, SD.

Program

  1. Salvation Is Created – Tchesnokoff, arr. Donald Moore (2:46)
  2. Sequel from “Two Love Songs” – Robert Young (1:37)
  3. Go Where I Send Thee – arr. Caldwell & Ivory (2:20)
  4. Oh My Luve’s Like a Red, Red Rose – René Clausen (3:30)
  5. Daemon irrepit callidus – György Orbán (1:20)
  6. And So It Goes – Billy Joel; 1st Edition (4:06)
  7. Hallelujah – arr. Jerry Ulrich; combined choirs, soloist Jason Pratt (3:10)
  8. Dixit Dominus – W. A. Mozart (3:57)
  9. Angel’s Carol – John Rutter (3:24)
  10. Night of Silence – Dan Kantor; combined choirs (4:00)
  11. Deck the Hall – arr. John Rutter (2:05)
  12. Glory, Glory to the Newborn King – Moses Hogan; soloists Rebecca Flinn, Stephen Krogh (4:32)
  13. He Watching Over Israel from “Elijah” – Felix Mendelssohn (4:05)
  14. Steal Away – arr. Hal Hopson (4:50)
  15. Lux Aeterna from “Requiem” – John Rutter; combined band, orchestra and Concert Choir (4:05)
  16. Shenandoah – arr. Mary Goetze; combined women’s chorus (3:16)
  17. Worthy to Be Praised – Byron J. Smith; soloists Paul Gliarmis, Jason Pratt, Lauren Olsen and Sarah Hoffman (5:35)
Listen to the 2000–01 recordings