ABOUT
Located in a suburb of Iowa's capital city of Des Moines, Ankeny High School is one of two comprehensive high schools serving grades 10-12 in the Ankeny Community School District. Ankeny was recently named the third fastest growing city in the United States and The Ankeny Community School District is also one of the fastest growing school districts in the state of Iowa.
The Ankeny High School Choral Music Department is proud of its tradition of excellence in both curricular and extra-curricular ensembles. Ankeny High School choral ensembles receive many awards, honors, and accolades each year with a focus on consistent growth and on department values. Our department pillars (values) are: EXCELLENCE, COMMITMENT, PRIDE, COMMUNITY, and FUTURE. The department, directed by Ben Walters and Adam Brown, is home to six performing ensembles involving approximately 275 students with numbers that continue to grow each year.
CURRICULAR (CORE) CHOIRS:
Concert Choir
The Ankeny Concert Choir is the most select ensemble in the Ankeny Choral Music Department and is open to students in grades 10-12 who exhibit a mature vocal tone, as well as demonstrated sight reading ability and aural accuracy. In recent years, the Concert Choir was selected to perform for the 2020 Midwest Regional Convention of the American Choral Directors Association in Milwaukee, WI, has shared the stage with opera legend Simon Estes, has appeared with the acclaimed Wartburg Choir, The Des Moines Vocal Arts Ensemble, and was selected for the 2018 Iowa Choral Directors Association Showcase. Additionally, the ensemble also earned first place honors at the World Strides Heritage Music Festival in New York City in 2018 as well as regularly receiving division 1 (superior ratings) at the IHSMA Large Group Festival. Concert Choir is intended for the serious singer who desires an intensive music-making experience. In depth study of music from each period of music history will be explored with focus on vocal production, independence, music literacy, musical precision, and advanced ensemble skills. The ensemble performs regularly in home concerts and in various community engagements. Concert Choir is directed by Ben Walters.
Cantorei
Cantorei is open to any treble voice in grades 10-12 by audition. Study of vocal pedagogy related specifically to the treble voice will be explored . Integration of solfege, music literacy, and ensemble skills will be incorporated through a varied repertoire of quality treble choral literature. Cantorei was recognized as the treble division champion at the New York City Heritage Choral Festival in 2018 and receives consistent division 1 (superior) ratings at the IHSMA Large Group Festival. Cantorei is conducted by Ben Walters.
Ankeny Singers
Ankeny Singers is a mixed chorus open to any 10-12th grade student at Ankeny High School who enjoys singing and being part of a musical team. Music fundamentals and music literacy will be emphasized, as well as study of healthy vocal production in a choral setting. A variety of choral literature, both sacred and secular will be studied and performed. Ankeny Singers is directed by Adam Brown.
SHOW CHOIRS:
Visual Adrenaline
Visual Adrenaline is the award-winning mixed varsity show choir at Ankeny High School. Students in grades 9-12 are eligible for membership by selective audition and are expected to make consistent progress and contribution in one of Ankeny's curricular choral ensembles. VA competes in competitions across the Midwest where they have attained many awards and honors including grand championships, class championships, caption awards for best vocals, best choreography, and best band. Visual Adrenaline is choreographed by Kevin Chase and is directed by Ben Walters.
Perpetual Motion
Perpetual Motion is Ankeny High School's mixed junior-varsity (prep) show choir open to students in grades 9-12 by audition. Students in show choirs are expected to make consistent progress and contribution in one of Ankeny's curricular choral ensembles. PM competes in competitions across Iowa and the Midwest with successful performance records in the prep division. Perpetual Motion is choreographed by Kevin Chase and is directed by Adam Brown.
Intensity
Intensity is the newest show choir at Ankeny High School comprised of treble voices in grades 9-12. Students in show choirs are expected to make consistent progress and contribution in one of Ankeny's curricular choral ensembles. Intensity competes alongside PM and VA at competitions across the state with a successful performance record in the prep/unisex division. Intensity is directed by Nick Oswald.
