This past Saturday I had the privilage of judging 9th grade OPUS Honor Choir auditions.  For those that are unfamiliar, OPUS is basically Iowa’s version of All-State Choir for students in grades 5-9.  There are 4 choirs: 5th and 6th grade mixed, 7th and 8th grade boys, 7th and 8th grade girls, and 9th grade mixed.  I listened to over 200 basses but could only chose 45 (and 7 alternates).  There were a few decisions that were easy, but many more that were very difficult.  In the end I think we selected a choir that the state of Iowa can be extremely proud of and one that is sure to delight its audience.   I’d gladly put any and all of the young men that sang for me in my choir.  I wish I could have selected them all.