With tongue pressed firmly in cheek, Douglas High music director Bill Zabelsky said his group of 14 Madrigal singers weren't all that good at the beginning of the year.
"I used to tease them a lot. I told them I didn't think they were the most talented group," Zabelsky said Wednesday in his office.
"Obviously, they've exceeded my expectations. They've proved me wrong. People ask me when I'm going to retire, and my answer is never, not if I continue to have groups like this."
On March 13, the Douglas High School Madrigal singers performed in the Nevada Music Education Association's all-state regional solo and ensemble festival in Carson City. The group received a superior rating, a designation Zabelsky called "the best of the best." Consequently, the Madrigals will be performing at the all-state concert April 15 in Las Vegas with a shot at the prestigious "command performance."
"They'll sing in the morning," Zabelsky said. "There are no scores, but the judge will choose the group they think best to perform at the concert that evening."
In excelling at the regional festival, Douglas showed up rival Carson High, something Zabelsky is proud of.
"On a personal note, it was a real pleasure to beat Carson," he said.
Still, recalling his jest at the beginning of the year, Zabelsky praised his students for their marvelous work ethic.
"They are the most hard-working group of kids in Madrigals that I've ever had," he said.
He also thanked middle school music teachers Sarah Holland and Tammy Owens for their help in preparing the younger students for high school competition.
At state, Zabelsky said, the Madrigals will be performing a 5-part piece called "All Creatures Now," written by John Bennet.
"It was written in the 1500s, and so is a true Madrigal piece," Zabelsky said.
Sophomore Hannah Maxwell, 16, said it's her first year with the singing group.
"It feels so good. I'm very excited," she said. "To be completely honest, I didn't think we'd make it. But we worked very hard, and it's paid off."
Senior Cody Lee, 17, was likewise taken with his team's preeminence.
"This is my second year in Madrigals," he said. "Going to state is amazing. Two years ago, I didn't think I could sing, but I guess we've come a long way."
Lee said it's taken a lot of practice to get to this point.
"I'm nervous, but it's a total honor," he said. "It's great to be able to sing with the best groups in the state, to be up there with them."
After graduation, Lee said, he hopes to join the choral department at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Junior Gracie LeVal, 17, was also a little nervous Wednesday about the upcoming trip to Vegas.
"I think we're just nervous enough to make us work hard for it," she said.
When asked about Zabelsky's evaluation of their talent at the beginning of the year, LeVal chuckled and replied, "I think he implied that we need to work very hard, and we have."
Lee and Maxwell will be joining classmates Cameron Frogget, Marlan Jongsma, Matthew Karr and Matthew Stockton for the all-state choir performance in Las Vegas the weekend following the ensemble concert.
For more information, visit www.douglasmusic.net.
