Greene County High School senior musicians were honored at the annual Awards Concert May 5.
The 15 seniors in the mixed chorus and the eight seniors in the concert band were introduced along with their parents.
Vocalists Parker Willis and Annie Palmer (pictured) were selected by choir director Dave Heupel to receive the Arion Award. The award recognizes musicianship and leadership.
Willis sang the lead role in the music department’s productions of “Footloose” and “The Music Man” his sophomore and senior year, respectively. He was selected for the All-State Chorus his junior year. He plays bass in a hard-hitting metal band “Green Death,” and plans to continue with that band after graduation. He is the son of Mitch Willis and Lisa Willis. He plans to attend Des Moines Area Community College and study business.
Palmer also sang solo roles in “Footloose” and “The Music Man.” She traveled with the Iowa Ambassadors of Music choir, and was selected for the All-State Chorus her senior year. She is the daughter of Mike and Sherry Palmer and plans to attend the University of Northern Iowa.
Both Willis and Palmer were members of the Jazzatonics jazz choir.
Willis also received the Jazz Band award for musicianship and leadership in that group from band director Becky Greiner.
It was the last concert for Greiner, as she will retire at the end of the school year. Former students came from as far as Waterloo and Iowa City, with many making shorter drives to be at the concert. Greiner received a long standing ovation when the band finished playing. She is pictured with choir director Heupel.
Marty Brenden, who retired as assistant band director a year ago, came from Missouri to surprise Greiner. It was his first visit to Jefferson since retiring, but he said he has kept track of Greene County events as an almost daily reader of GreeneCountyNewsOnline. He admitted to looking at the police and sheriff’s reports first. (Many readers do.)
Art teacher Diane Kunzler is also retiring at the end of the school year. Her third trimester art students had art on display in the hallways during the concert, and she was introduced and received applause at the concert.
