Click on the above image for more photos from the spring choir concert.
May 14, 2025 — The Mound Westonka High School choirs hosted their annual spring concert on May 12 at the Westonka Performing Arts Center. The concert, titled “Unclouded Day” with guest artist and operatic soloist, Grady Klein, took guests on a musical journey.
Performance pieces included “Moh Ghile Mear” sung in Gaelic, two versions of “Dies Irae,” “City Called Heaven,” “The River,” “Let the River Run,” and more.
“The choirs sang with precision and passion, moving their audience to tears,” said choir director Kelly Newell.
In addition to inspired performances by the school’s three choral groups, annual awards were presented to the school’s top vocal musicians and the 2025 graduating seniors were recognized.
Each year, the Kris Miller Outstanding Musician Award goes to an outstanding senior who has devoted himself or herself to the craft of singing with plans to continue singing at the collegiate level. This year’s recipient is Haylee Larson. She has been a member of Concert Choir for two years and a member of Madd Jazz for one year. She has been in multiple musicals, playing extraordinary roles throughout her high school career. She plans to continue her study of music at the U of M Duluth in musical theater.
“Kaylee is kind, she is generous, and she truly has the voice of an angel, who can also produce a stunning belt,” said choir director Kelly Newell.
Outstanding Choral Musician Awards are dedicated to students who have shown outstanding musical skills throughout the year and have demonstrated technical skill and excellence in singing. Award winners were ninth-grader Oliver Berg, Cantabile; junior Cerisa Bray, Concert Choir; and ninth-grader Izzy Hill, Bel Canto.
Choir Dedication Awards are given to students who have demonstrated and devoted years to the choir program. They lead by example, with consistency, and are dedicated to the craft of singing. Award winners were senior Cole Munsterteiger, Cantabile; junior Sarah Goralczyk, Concert Choir; and sophomore Ida Butterfield, Bel Canto.
Student voted awards included the G.O.A.T. Award – for the Greatest of All Time. This award goes to musicians who are recognized as leaders of the choir, who are talented, hard-working, driven, and respected. Congratulations to Berg and Munsterteiger (tie), Cantabile; Bray, Concert Choir; and eighth grader Kate Miller, Bel Canto.
The second student award is the Heart and Soul of Choir Award, which goes to a member of the choir who cares not only about the level of performance, but the members of the choir as individuals. Awards went to sophomore Deacon Ramthun, Cantabile; senior Anna Borg, Concert Choir, and sophomore Sam Parise, Bel Canto.
“I am proud to work with my students on challenging and rewarding repertoire that is relevant to their lives,” said Newell.
