With one voice

Music is a world within itself

With a language we all understand

With an equal opportunity

For all to sing, dance and clap their hands

– Stevie Wonder

Now in her second year at Carrington Public Schools, Annette Hovey has helped enrich the artistic palettes of those she teaches, through the power of ensemble performance, whether it be choral or instrumental.

"One of the true joys in my life is helping my students learn a new piece of music, bring it to life, and spread the joy of music," Hovey said.

In her 27 total years of education, Hovey hasn't gotten the opportunity to conduct festival choirs very often.

Her first came in 2018 when, while at New Rockford-Sheyenne, she was given the honor of guest conductor for the North Dakota American Choral Directors Association (NDACDA) junior high All-State mixed choir.

Something completely different was on Hovey's plate on Saturday, Oct.12, as she directed one of seven concurrently-performing ensembles during the NDACDA's "Surround the State in Song" festival.

The event, she explained, is a one-day festival held at seven different locations throughout North Dakota, and features fifth and sixth grade singers.

Musicians perform at their respective locations, those being Grand Forks, Fargo, Jamestown, Bismarck, Dickinson, Williston and Minot. A total of 400 kids participated in this year's event.

Hovey was assigned the Bismarck site, where she was responsible for molding 130 performers into a cohesive unit.

"Each year, the organizers bring in a guest conductor to each site – mostly college and secondary choir teachers – from throughout the state," she said.

Singers participated in around four hours of rehearsal time together, said Hovey. They were provided sheet music ahead of time, and given web links where they could practice the vocal tracks, along with any instruction given by their school teachers.

This year's "Surround the State in Song" featured an animal theme for their four pieces. Selections were "The Swine Song," by Dave and Jean Perry, "Wink to the Little Baby," by Mary Goetze, "The Fox," arranged by Blake Richter and Taylor Shaeffer, and "I Bought Me a Cat," arranged by Sally Albrecht.

The combined concert was held beginning at 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 12, at the seven performance sites.

"The amount of brainpower they use every time they start singing (or picking up their instrument, for band performers), read the music on the page, remember fingerings, think about how to play or sing each note and then collaborate non-verbally with a room full of other kids doing the same thing to create a piece of art is amazing," Hovey said. "The cooperation and concentration it takes is hard to replicate."

She also said that she sees students who wouldn't normally connect with each other in other settings, become friends in music classes.

Hovey has taught at all levels throughout her educational career, and is currently the 7th-12th grade choir director and director for all bands within the school district at Carrington. She also runs a private studio for lessons, which she has done since 2006.