Heiser represents Rib Lake in state choir

Rib Lake High School freshman Brady Heiser represented Rib Lake in the annual WSMA Honors Choir on Saturday, October 30 at Verona High School in Madison.

Heiser auditioned while he was in 8th grade, in the spring of 2021, which meant that he performed as part of the middle school choir. The choir performed for the Wisconsin State Music Convention that is held annually in Madison.

Out of 700 people who auditioned for Middle School Honors Choir, 100 students are selected to make up the choir, Heiser was one of the one hundred students who were selected.

Heiser is a tenor for Rib Lake choir, which is directed by Connie Leonhard. In August of 2021, Heiser was given 6 pieces, which he had to rehearse for the concert on Saturday. Leonhard worked with Heiser for three weeks to give him a good head start on how to practice the pieces.

Heiser’s conductor was Dr. Gary Packwood, who is recognized as an inspiring and motivational conductor, pedagogue, and lecturer. He has appeared throughout the United States as well as in Brazil, Italy, Malaysia, France, Austria, Spain, and The Czech Republic. He has conducted all-state and honor choirs in 38 states as well as American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) choirs for the Eastern, Southwestern and Northwestern regions. Notable guest conducting/teaching appearances include the International Music Festival of Piaui, the Federal University at Uberlandia, three times for the International Music Festival of Campina Grande, both of which are located in Brazil, and Professor-in-Residence at the Sultan Idris University at Tanjung Malim, Malaysia.

Dr. Packwood is currently program administrator and director of choral studies at Mississippi State University where he teaches undergraduate and graduate conducting to students who are interested in the field of music. Packwood also conducts the Tenor/Bass choir and the premiere ensemble, State Singers. His administrative duties include serving as the coordinator for graduate music studies and administering the choral area. Dr. Packwood has held similar appointments at the University of Montevallo, Alabama, Louisiana State University, and public-school teaching in south Florida.

Heiser said, “This has been a great experience for me and I have learned a lot of techniques that I can share with my fellow classmates.”