FMCSD rolls out Premiere 2025

FORT MADISON - The gymnasium at Fort Madison High School was filled with excitement and music as parents, families, and friends eagerly anticipated a sneak peek of the Fort Madison Community School District Music Department's "Premiere 2025."
This highly anticipated performance showcased the talents of nearly 200 students and gave the audience a taste of what to expect in the upcoming competition season.
The event kicked off with impressive performances by the Fort Madison High School Jazz I and Jazz II groups, under the expert direction of Colin DePriest. Consisting of 44 talented students, these groups delighted the audience with a diverse range of pieces, from jazz standards like "All of Me" to the Latin-inspired rhythms of "Funky Cha Cha." Standout soloists and ensembles included Ruby King, Shirley Zhao, Gul Yoruk, Lucy Arevalo, Zayne Speer, Brady Wade, and Matthew Peters. The high school jazz bands recently competed at Simpson College's Jazz Fest and have upcoming performances at Indian Hills Community College, Coe College, and the SEIBA Jazz competition.
Next, the stage was taken over by Fortissimo, the Fort Madison Middle School Show Choir, led by first-year director Rachel Lamb. Fortissimo, comprised of 51 enthusiastic 7th and 8th graders, delivered an energetic premier set featuring "Brand New," "Million to One," and "I Just Want to Be Happy." Soloists Savannah Tanner, Angela Zhao, Sophia Daman, Brynn Moss, Gianni Bagby, Abbie Ralph, Alexis Rife, and Amelia Bruhl captivated the audience with their vocal prowess.
Lamb expressed her pride in the young performers, saying, "For many of these kids, this was their first time performing in front of such a large audience. They have been putting in the work, and I am extremely proud of this talented and energetic group."
Fortissimo is set to compete at Mt. Pleasant, Keokuk, and Cedar Rapids Jefferson, and will also perform at Fort Madison's home competition, "Stars in the Spotlight," and Dessert Theater.

After a brief intermission, Crimson and Black, FMHS’s non-audition show choir, consisting of 38 singers, 14 band members, and a 12-member stage crew, took the stage and electrified the packed house with a dynamic set featuring "I'm a Star," with a show stopping solo by Ester Gnann, and "Bullet Proof."
The afternoon's grand finale was delivered by FMHS’s varsity show choir, Swingspan, which offered a sneak peek of their upcoming show. Swingspan’ s 50 singers and 11-piece band enthralled the crowd with high-energy performances of "When Legends Rise," "Crowd Go Crazy," and "Celebrate/Celebration."
The precision dancing and soaring vocals, including soloists Austin Lantry and Danika Dotson, left the audience in awe. Director Stoddard playfully hinted that the full show would remain a surprise for future audiences.
The high school show choirs are gearing up for a busy competition season, with scheduled performances at Davenport North, Mt. Pleasant, Keokuk, Cedar Rapids Jefferson, and Lincoln Northeast in Lincoln, Nebraska. They will also be featured at the "Stars in the Spotlight" and Dessert Theater events.
According to Stoddard, these are the largest groups he has had since his tenure at FMHS.  With the larger groups come greater expenses.  Stoddard reminded the audience that none of this would be possible without the generous help of the community, and that it is his goal to keep these activities as affordable as possible for the students and their families.  Specifically, he has promised to buy Crimson and Black new red shoes before their first competition at Mt. Pleasant, with a cost of $2,000. If anyone would like to help, they can donate to the Fort Madison Music Boosters, helping fund these activities for the students in the music department
“I am very excited for the upcoming show choir seasons.  Both show choirs have shown tremendous growth and continue to strive to improve!  We as a department are honored and proud to provide a large population of our students this opportunity to grow as performers,” Stoddard said.