Council Rock South Student to Perform with Best of the Best

During the 2016-17 school year, along with other talented music students across the United States and overseas in military base schools, Council Rock High School South Junior, Bobby Blankemeyer, practiced with dedication to gain a part in his local, district, and state music honor ensembles.

Now a Senior at Council Rock HS South, Bobby will join the “best of the best” for the National Association for Music Education’s (NAfME) 2017 All-National Honor Ensembles November 26-29, 2017, at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. Bobby, a low bass singer, will be joined by 280 other singers in the All-National Mixed Choir.

He is one of only 18 singers in the state of Pennsylvania chosen to perform and the only student selected from Bucks County. During his time at Council Rock HS South, Bobby has participated in virtually every aspect of the vocal/choral department.

He successfully auditioned into the Bucks County Music Educator’s Association (BCMEA) All County Festival, as well as the Pennsylvania Music Educator’s Association (PMEA) District, Regional, and All-State choirs. He has performed at the White House four times with the Council Rock South Vocal Ensemble and even gave a private performance for former First Lady Michelle Obama. Bobby is also a talented actor, landing multiple leads in the Golden Wings Theater Company at CR South throughout his high school tenure.

Bobby’s Choir director, Corey Axler, couldn’t be more proud. “Bobby is one of the most talented students I have taught in the past 25 years. He is the rock (no pun intended) and foundation of my choirs!”The All-National Honor Ensembles performers represent collaboration and creativity in its highest musical form. The All-National Honor Ensembles consist of a concert band, symphony orchestra, mixed choir, and jazz ensemble. Students were chosen through an audition process.

The concert band and symphony orchestra will each have 155 and 152 instrumentalists respectively, the jazz ensemble 21 instrumentalists, and the mixed choir 281 vocalists. Eligible students have qualified for their state-level honor ensemble program and competed against top students for a spot in these national honor ensembles.

Selected students will be rehearsing a challenging repertoire in preparation for performing under the baton of five of the most prominent conductors in the United States: Dr. Z. Randall Stroope (Mixed Choir); Dr. Margery Deutsch (Symphony Orchestra); Dr. T. André Feagin (Concert Band); and Todd Stoll with Lauren Sevian (Jazz Ensemble). All conductors have received top honors in their field and will spend several days rehearsing with students before the concert.