Exceptional All-Staters

(Above) Pictured are Clear Lake High School All-State instrumentalists (L-R) Abbi Parcher, Irene Swanson, Tim Swanson and Theo Swanson.  Also pictured is CLHS Band Director Brandon Borseth. -Submitted photo.

Swansons chosen for elite All-State Orchestra

Irene Swanson, Theo Swanson and Tim Swanson have accomplished a feat unheard of in Iowa High School Music. The three siblings (a senior and twin sophomore brothers) all earned the opportunity to perform in the All-State Orchestra.

The Swansons, along with senior Abbi Parcher, represented Clear Lake High School as 2017 All-State instrumentalists.  Chosen by audition, All-State is the highest individual honor available to high school musicians.  To be accepted into the orchestra is a special honor, as the student must distinguish themselves not only as a top player worthy of All-State, but the best player in their instrument group.

“It is an honor all by itself to make All-State, but to have three siblings all make it in the same year and to be accepted into the orchestra is unheard of,” said CLHS Band Director Brandon Borseth.

Each of the performers named Borseth as a major influence for their love of music.

“He’s an incredible director and influence on myself and the program as a whole.  He makes you want to work hard,” said Tim Swanson.

“He’s encouraging to everybody and helps us all aspire to be the best we can,” added Irene.

The Swansons also credit their mother, Lynn Ullrich, with providing their start in music.  She is a pianist and organist who taught them the basics.  Each chose an instrument in fifth grade and has improved their mastery with each passing year.  Music in their school days began with Tammy Aberson and continued with Borseth in high school.  All three of the Swansons also perform with the Clear Lake Municipal Band each summer.

Irene missed the All-State cut as a freshman, but was named an alternate her sophomore and junior years.  She was excited to be a full-fledged

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All-Stater as a senior.  She was one of 12 French Horn players selected to play in the All-State Orchestra.

“I’ve been to honor bands, but this was different.  There were new people to play with and who liked to talk about music-related stuff all day.  And then we made incredible sounds.  It was amazing.”

Irene said her preparation for All-State auditions was probably helped by her brothers.  The three would play scales for each other and ultimately practiced the All-State musical selections as a trio.

“It was weird when my brothers got to high school and were doing the same, or more than I was,” she said.  “But it also makes it fun in a unique way.”

Theo, who plays trombone, and Tim, an oboist, have the potential to become members of an elite club— four year All-Staters.  Both said the auditions were less scary this year because they had gone through the experience once before.  However, Theo added he was nervous because expectations are now so high.

Both said they chose their instruments because they seemed interesting.  Theo said his dad, Lee, had an old trombone which “looked cool.”  Tim liked the look, as well as the challenge of the oboe.

All three of the Swansons said they are considering careers involving music.  Irene has already decided to attend the University of Northern Iowa next fall to study instrumental music education.

Abbi Parcher, a three time All-Stater on clarinet, will also attend UNI and focus on performing arts management.

Each of the CLHS musical standouts say that their All-State experience is one they will not forget.

“When the band was done playing I got a huge feeling of euphoria,” said Archer.  “It was a great feeling— to be part of something bigger than yourself.”

The All-State concert, which was performed at Hilton Coliseum on Saturday night, Nov. 18, will be telecast over the Thanksgiving holiday by Iowa Public Television.

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