Larimore High School choir selected as Governor's State Choral Program
May 21—The Larimore (N.D.) High School Senior Choir has been selected as the 2021 Governor's Official State Choral Program.
In his announcement, Gov. Doug Burgum also said the Bismarck Legacy High School Wind Ensemble has been selected as the Governor's Official State Band Program.
Burgum congratulated both groups on "their outstanding representation of their schools and communities," he said in a news release. "Music and the arts are important elements of our schools and communities, and these two accomplished groups embody the tremendous musical talent within our state."
The Larimore High School Senior Choir, under the direction of Jack Boyer, consists of 46 students in grades 10 through 12. In addition to concerts, the choir performs at events and in competitions across the nation.
"It's a really big deal," Boyer said of the recognition by the Governor's Office. "It means that all of the kids' hard work paid off."
The choir competes with Class A schools to achieve this honor, he said, "so it's a big deal. We're really excited."
In the past five years, the choir has achieved numerous accomplishments and garnered recognition including the 2018 Outstanding Performance at the state music competition. The choir received invitations to the 2018 Performance Tour in Denver and Colorado Springs and the 2020 Festival Chorus at Carnegie Hall.
The Governor's Band and Chorus were selected from applications submitted by school and civic groups across the state. The selection is based on musical talent, achievement and community involvement. The Larimore High School Senior Choir may be invited to perform at official state functions throughout the year, according to the Governor's Office.
Boyer will be leaving the Larimore School District next school year to teach in the Emerado, N.D., K-8 school, he said. He plans to attend graduate school to earn a master's degree in music education in a distance program offered by the University of South Dakota.
"I was looking for a position that had less extracurriculars (teaching obligations)" to allow time for graduate studies, Boyer said, noting he also wants to spend more time with his wife and their first child, born in January.
