PRESS RELEASE: 12TH ANNUAL HEARTLAND HONOR CHOIR TO FEATURE MORE THAN 200 AREA HIGH SCHOOL SINGERS
ESTHERVILLE, Iowa – More than 200 talented high school singers from across northwest and north-central Iowa will come together at Iowa Lakes Community College for the 12th annual Heartland Honor Choir on Thursday, October 15, 2026.
Iowa Lakes will welcome singers representing 12 area school districts, including Spirit Lake, South O’Brien, Pocahontas Area, Spencer, Estherville Lincoln Central, North Union, Sioux Central, Humboldt, Okoboji, Manson Northwest Webster, Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire (GTRA), and Storm Lake.
Throughout the day, participating students will rehearse together as a mass choir, working with experienced collegiate music educators while developing their vocal skills and experiencing the power of performing as part of a large choral ensemble.
“This is our 12th year for the Heartland Honor Choir, and it has been a great event to bring talented high school singers together,” said Iowa Lakes Choir Director Brett Fuelberth. “The singers work together all day to create an amazing choral sound and grow as musicians.”
This year’s Heartland Honor Choir will feature guest conductor Dr. Rhonda Fuelberth from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Dr. Fuelberth is a frequent clinician, arranger, and adjudicator who works with choirs throughout the Midwest.
The day will culminate with the Heartland Honor Choir Concert at 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 15, at the Janice K. Lund Performing Arts Center on the Estherville Campus of Iowa Lakes Community College. The concert will showcase the more than 200 high school singers participating, with additional performances by Iowa Lakes Community College Choirs.
Admission is $5 for adults, while students and children may attend free of charge.
The Heartland Honor Choir provides area high school students with an opportunity to perform alongside fellow singers from throughout the region while learning from accomplished music educators and experiencing collegiate-level choral instruction at Iowa Lakes Community College.