Mound Westonka High School choir director Katie Larson will receive the Outstanding Young Director Award from the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) of Minnesota at the group’s annual state conference on Nov. 22, 2014. The awards luncheon will be held at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Mahtomedi, Minn.

The Outstanding Young Director Award is given annually to a conductor who meets the following criteria: 10 or fewer years of conducting experience; establishment of high performance and literature standards; promotion of choral music in the community; consistent ACDA membership; and attends and supports ACDA functions and state-wide activities.

Larson is the first female to receive the award since 2003. She was nominated by former Westonka choir director Andrea Schussler.

Larson is in her 10th year of teaching and her eighth year as vocal music director at MWHS. Before coming to Westonka, Larson taught at Davenport West High School in Davenport, Iowa. She earned her bachelor of music degree in vocal music education from St. Olaf College and her master’s in music education from the University of St. Thomas.

Larson conducts the Concert Choir, Women’s Varsity Choir, White Hawk Choir and Madd Jazz vocal jazz ensemble and is the vocal music director for the high school’s annual musical. Larson is a member of NAfME and ACDA. She resides in Mound with her husband, Rick, her children, Emily and Henry, and her cats, Satchmo and Oscar.

Larson says she is thankful to be a part of the ACDA-MN community and is honored and humbled to accept this award.

MWHS vocal groups have received a number of state recognitions under Larson’s direction. In 2010, Madd Jazz was selected to perform at Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA) Midwinter Clinic, and the Concert Choir performed at the 2010 ACDA-MN Choral Arts Finale and the 2013 ACDA-MN State Conference.

Larson was excited to announce that the Concert Choir has been selected to perform at the 2015 MMEA Midwinter Clinic, a statewide conference for all music educators. Their performance is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 12, at 2:15 p.m. at Central Lutheran Church in downtown Minneapolis.

Performing groups are selected based on a recorded audition the previous spring. Recordings are examined by an auditioning committee over the summer. Quality of performance within the context of the school’s available resources is considered, as well as balance in the Clinic program, Larson explained.

Many applications are submitted from all over the state, and not just from choirs. This clinic features outstanding performances from instrumental music as well. There are performing groups of a wide range of ages, including college ensembles.

“This is such an honor for these students, and they’ve truly earned it,” said Larson. “I knew I had a big senior class graduating. They have been such leaders for this choir program, and I wanted to feature them in a special way during our last year together. I have watched many of them dedicate their time and energy to this choir program for seven straight years.”

Last spring, Concert Choir gave up a Saturday to sit through a rather grueling professional recording session. “Recording is an intense process that requires a tremendous amount of focus and patience,” said Larson. “I was so proud of them and the album they produced. Clearly, their work paid off, as it was recordings from that album that earned them their performance at MMEA.”

“Performing at events like this lets students share their passion and hard work with a wider audience,” Larson continued. “It provides a unique opportunity to bring new music and ideas to music educators from around the state. I can’t wait to hear what these students will do in February!”