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Boscobel Senior performing with acclaimed state choir
Rebecca Welsh2
Boscobel Senior Rebecca Welsh with BHS choir instructor Sandi Johnson.

After a year of hard work and dedication, Boscobel High School’s Rebecca Welsh, will be performing with the Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) Mixed Choir.

For a chance to see the musical talents of Welsh and other students from around the area, tune into Wisconsin Public Television (WPT) on Monday, Feb. 25, at 8 p.m.

The WSMA is a group that picks only the best young musical talents from around the area. In early February high schools from around the area sent some of their best performers to audition against 1,400 other students ranging from grades ninth through eleventh. Boscobel Choir instructor, Sandi Johnson said, “At this point, the student is nothing but a number.” If the student makes the group, then they are brought together in June to work with nationally known conductors in a professional setting for three days. Once the three days are up, the students are sent home with the music they will perform. They are then brought together in October to perform at Madison’s Overture Center, with their assigned group.  

Welsh has auditioned for the WSMA for both her junior and senior years of high school and both times has been able to beat out the pack of students to earn a spot in the group. As a junior, Welsh was part of the WSMA’s Woman’s Choir, which she was able to move up from this year as part of the Mixed Choir performance. Welsh’s favorite part of earning the opportunity to work with such a group, is all the different talented people she is able to work with. “It pushes me to be so much better because they are so much better than I am,” said Welsh.

Welsh first started choir in sixth grade, however she wasn’t very keen on the idea of being part of a group choir. However, with support from friends and family telling her what a wonderful singer she was, Welsh decided to give choir a chance. Her musical talent started to show through in eighth grade, as she made it to State Solo Ensemble, which she continued in high school.

Welsh participated in many different musical performances throughout high school, such as Madrigal, school musicals, the vocal jazz group and solo ensemble. Outside of school, Welsh also is part of the Lutheran Dorian Chamber Choir, which only elite honors choir members are able to be a part of. This was a great opportunity for her, as her favorite type of music is gospel. Welsh also comes together with a private vocal lessons’ instructor on her own time to keep working on her vocal achievements.

Before Welsh’s high school days are over as a senior, she has one dream she would like to have happen at the state level for solo ensemble. “I would like to earn an exemplary slip,” said Welsh. At the state solo ensemble level, judges are given two exemplary slips to give out to students they feel are the best performers. The slip will be given to the student on the spot after they are done performing if they earned one.

However, being great at music isn’t the only thing Welsh has going for her as her high school years come to an end. She has dedicated a lot of time to Boscobel High School by being part of many different groups, including National Honors Society, softball and cheerleading.

Welsh’s plans after high school are to attend UW-LaCrosse to eventually earn a degree in Physical Therapy. She also plans on bringing her musical talents into the college level Choir. Rebecca is the daughter of Gretchen Graham and the late Marvin Welsh.