In the News: Banner year continues for Newberg High music program

NHS vocal and brass trio groups place second in the first-ever state ensemble contest; NHS choir takes eighth at state

The Newberg High School music program has pushed itself to great heights the past two weekends, placing second in a couple of state ensemble contests and earning the choir’s second top-10 finish at state in school history.

After finishing first at district’s, Newberg 16-member vocal ensemble, VocalPoint, placed second in the first-ever state ensemble contest May 2, finishing one point out of first place.

“They have to do that without a director and they were confident and poised,” said choir director Robert Hawthorne. “They really just brought their A game. It’s been really impressive with the choirs this year. They have really just found their feet.”

That was evident Saturday, as the symphonic choir placed eighth at the OSAA 6A state championships at George Fox University with a score of 299. The choir had also placed second at districts, with fellow Three Rivers League member St. Mary’s winning the state crown.

“What’s great about them is they’re so committed,” Hawthorne said. “We just dug in and went for it.”

Hawthorne and members of the choir said there were two keys to their performance, namely that they collaborated well to improve on their district performance and focused primarily on enjoying their performance rather than trying to be perfect or to place highly.

“They wanted to come here and just make great music together,” Hawthorne said. “So I think that really took out the pressure piece and they just came here to sing. And they did. They sang beautifully.”

Newberg also had a second-place finisher at the first-ever state small ensemble band competition May 2, with the brass trio of trombonist Thomas Gaumer, tuba player Robert Bohall and French horn player Liam Hathaway earning recognition for their rendition of John Stevens’ “Triangles.”

“It was really cool because we put a ton of work into that piece,” Gaumer said. “It was really gratifying.”

Gaumer also placed fourth on trombone in the state solo competition, as did baritone Luke Hartley. The NHS band and orchestra will both compete at state competitions this weekend at Oregon State University.

Written by Seth Gordon, Newberg Graphic