After two days, and hours of rehearsals, high school students participating in the second annual Honor Choir festival are debuting their talents tonight as the festival draws to a close.

“It takes good preparation,” says Jill Nordby, freshman in music. “Your voice has to be prepared. You also have to have a good work ethic and be ready to listen and work hard.”

More than 250 high school students from across the state of Iowa auditioned live for a spot in the choir, but only 78 were chosen.

“It’s important that you can perform the music well, have good tone and are able to portray what you are singing,” Nordby says.

Participating in such an event gives the high school students a valuable experience, says James Rodde, director of choral activities.

“It gives many of them an opportunity to be in a very select group of musicians,” Rodde says. “I don’t feel there is anything like it in the state of Iowa, because the sight-reading component is very unique.”

The Honor Choir is scheduled to be on campus early today, starting the day with sectionals and rehearsals that continue on late into day.

Throughout the afternoon, faculty will listen to scholarship auditions, serving as an opportunity for recruitment of new student talent into the music department.

Being part of the Honor Choir introduces a number of students to Iowa State and the school of music.

Nordby says being a member of the Honor Choir played a big part in her choice to attend Iowa State.

“I did not know how good the music department at ISU had gotten until I worked with them,” says Nordby. “I really liked the atmosphere, what they were teaching and how they were open to different vocal styles.”

The festival concludes this evening with a concert at 7 in the Martha-Ellen Tye Recital Hall, featuring the Iowa State Singers and the Honor Choir. The performance is free and open to the public.