Proctor Represented Glasgow At All-State Choir

Glasgow High School sophomore Gabe Proctor represented Glasgow as an All-State Choir participant Oct. 19 through 21, at Gallatin High School in Bozeman, Mont., during the 2022 All-State Festival, which included the best of band, chorus and orchestra throughout the state.

According to Proctor, approximately 150 people convened on stage to sing seven classical choral pieces during the performance that occurred on the last day. Proctor is the first All-State music student to represent Glasgow in many many years and the first northeastern Montana representative as well in as many years, which is quite the accomplishment.

Proctor explained there were eight different parts of the choir so there was so much to hear during the performances and practices at the event, stating, "I didn't know choirs sounded like that. There were different parts, eight parts, so there was so much to hear." He does admit due to only practicing for two weeks, when others had a month to prepare, he pulled it off, but "just barely," as he chuckled.

Proctor auditioned for this prestigious honor via recording near the end of last school year with the assistance of Maureen Leech, who was the vocal music teacher for the Glasgow School District. He was given the opportunity to audition after singing a solo at Music Festival last school year. "The adjudicator advised I try out and so the last day of school I did," explained Proctor. After submitting the recording at the end of last school year, Proctor found out via social media in mid-August that he was selected as All-State Honor Choir – Tenor 1. "Not a lot of people try out for the Tenor 1 so I was pretty sure I was going to make it," said Proctor. He does admit this opportunity should be more widely known to eighth-graders and Chamber choirs, stating "every choir student should try out."

In addition to working with Leech to get the application and recording submitted, his vocal coach Colleen Thompson, Irle School Music Teacher Christine Gilchrist and Luree Chappell all worked with Proctor to prepare him for the big event and stage. Though he admits he procrastinated in preparing as he only worked on the pieces for approximately two weeks prior to going to Bozeman.

Singing is nothing new for Proctor as he has been in choir since sixth grade and has been doing private voice lessons with Thompson since the seventh grade. "I was given the opportunity to do lessons, so my thought was 'why not take advantage,'" explained Proctor on why he decided put the extra work into improving his skill. He continues to grow his vocals by attending lessons provided by Thompson as well as is currently a part of the Glasgow High School Chamber choir after being a part of the Swing and Chamber choirs last year as well.

If voice lessons doesn't keep him busy enough, Proctor is a part of the Glasgow High School's Speech and Drama team and is very involved in theatre. He has had parts in many school plays, even participating in all of the Glasgow Middle School productions before entering high school. He has also been in two Fort Peck Summer Theatre productions with plans to audition for this year's Matilda performance.

All of his extra-curricular activities now is setting up to fulfill his life goal when he grows up, to be an entertainer, encompassing all of his talents in singing, acting and comedy. "When I got really involved my passion just grew. I realized I'm really good at this and it's really fun," stated Proctor.

With all of the activities he is involved in, his one advice to others just figuring out their interests and hobbies is to just go with it. "If you don't do the thing, then you won't be good at the time. You have to do the thing to be good. Keep working on it. If you don't start, you won't get good at it. If you continue you will get better and better as time goes on," Proctor explained.