Choirs & Show Choirs

Who we serve

Ankeny’s choral program includes a variety of talented vocal groups made up of students in grades 6–12 from Parkview Middle School, Southview Middle School, and Ankeny High School.

Want to learn more? Visit the full Ankeny Choral Music webpage for group details, performance schedules, and updates.

Show Choirs

Visual Adrenaline

Varsity mixed show choir

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

Auditioned mixed show choir

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 Riley Anderson.

Intensity

Junior varsity mixed show choir

Intensity is the newest show choir at Ankeny High School comprised of mixed 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 division. Intensity is directed by Emma Feldhans and Karlee Nelson.

Intensity hitting a final pose at fall preview

Intensity performing at the Fall Preview

Dynamite

8th grade show choir

Dynamite, from Southview Middle School in Ankeny, Iowa, is proud to be a non-auditioned 8th grade show choir and is the first show choir experience for these students. The show choir typically competes at four local competitions each year as well as performing at Parkview Middle School and AHS during their Show Choir Spring Show. Dynamite is choreographed by Kevin Chase and Alex Schultz, and is directed by Jill Bjorklund and Nick Oswald.

Ankeny High School

Concert Choir

10-12th grade auditioned mixed curricular 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

10-12th grade auditioned treble-clef curricular choir

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.

Chorale

10-12th grade auditioned mixed curricular choir

Chorale is a mixed ensemble open to all students in grades 10-12 by audition. Music fundamentals and music literacy (including solfege and terminology) will be emphasized, as well as study of good choral tone and healthy vocal production in a choral setting, using a varied repertoire of quality literature. Students in all core ensembles are eligible and encouraged to participate in other musical opportunities outside of the school day. Riley Anderson directs Chorale.

Ankeny Singers

10-12th grade non-auditioned choir

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 Riley Anderson.

Southview Middle School

Treble Clef (9th)

9th grade cirricular choir

Any 9th grade treble clef singer is welcome to participate in our Southview Choir program! Our 9th Treble choir rehearses every day and students are given the opportunity to participate in a wide-variety of performances throughout the school year. All 9th graders will continue to receive a small-group lesson, allowing for concentrated individual growth. Lessons are given using an 8-day rotation cycle. Choir is open to all 9th graders! The Treble Choir is directed by Jill Bjorklund.

Bass Clef (9th)

9th grade cirricular choir

All 9th grade bass clef singers are welcome to participate in our Southview Choir Program! Our 9th Bass Clef Choir rehearses every day. The 9th Grade Bass Clef Choir has five performances throughout the year with additional small group performance opportunities available as well. In addition to learning beginning and intermediate singing techniques, students also advance their music literacy skills. Private small-group lessons are given to all students on an 8-day rotation cycle. All are invited and welcome to be in choir at Southview! The Bass Clef Choir is directed by Nick Oswald.

Treble Clef (8th)

8th grade cirricular choir

Our Southview choir program offers many new and amazing opportunities! Our curricular choirs are voice part-based at SV, with two 8th treble sections offered (A Day, B Day), with both sections combining for all performances. In addition to learning energized, but healthy singing, students will also advance their music literacy skills. Private small-group lessons are given to all students using an 8-day rotation cycle. All are invited, and welcome to be in choir! The Treble Choir is directed by Jill Bjorklund.

Bass Clef (8th)

8th grade cirricular choir

At Southview our curricular choirs are voice part-based, with two 8th Grade Bass Clef Choir sections offered (A Day and B Day). Both sections combine for three performances throughout the year. In addition to learning beginning singing techniques, students also advance their music literacy skills. Private small-group lessons are given to all students on an 8-day rotation cycle. All are invited and welcome to be in choir at Southview! The Bass Clef Choir is directed by Nick Oswald.