Izzy Westercamp

Four Kennedy Seniors will perform at the All-State music festival.

Four Kennedy seniors will be performing at the Iowa All-State Festival on Nov. 20 through the 22. Sam Bloomquist and Divya Ramadugu will be in the choir as a tenor and soprano respectively. Playing in the band is Camden Neff with the alto saxophone, and Evan Goedeken on the trombone. 

Sam Bloomquist has auditioned for All-State every year of high school, and this will be his third consecutive year being performing in the choir. 

“Auditioning this year was special because it was the last,” Bloomquist said. “It’s always a nerve wrecking experience, but I felt very relieved knowing this would be my final time in an audition classroom.”

Camden Neff has also auditioned all four years of high school. Along with being accepted into the band twice, Neff was an alternate for two years. 

“It’s definitely a special feeling to make it in again as a senior when it’s my last chance, and to be able to go with a couple of my best friends,” Neff said.

A benefit for Neff this year was the return of a second alto saxophone spot in the band. 

“[It] was a big positive…I’d be auditioning for two spots instead of one,” Neff said. 

For his third year, Evan Goedeken auditioned for all-state and was accepted for the second time. For Goedeken, the biggest change was a feeling of pressure after making the band last year. 

“I was a lot more nervous this year than I was the previous years. In the years past, I had never known what a successful audition sounded or felt like, however this year I knew,” Goedeken said.

Now that the audition process is over, Goedeken is looking forward to performing at the festival. 

“I’m most excited to play with other outstanding musicians, meet new people from around the state, and eat at Hickory Park,” Goedeken said.