The 2014 WMEA All-State Conference was held mid-February in Yakima, Washington.  This year, the Kaskaskia College Music Department played an important part in the success of the conference.  Professor Sarah Graham was selected as the guest conductor for the 300 voice All-State Symphonic Choir.  The participants were selected through an audition process and chosen from applicants from the entire state of Washington to take part in this year’s ensemble.  The students then rehearsed with Dr. Graham Friday and Saturday for 8 hours each day, and then for a 2 hour rehearsal on Sunday at the Yakima Convention Center before finally presenting their concert that afternoon.  It was an honor for Professor Graham to be chosen to guest conduct this year.  When Dr. Graham was notified about being selected for the position, she decided to commission a composition to mark the occasion from Professor Cliff Jourdan; this composition would then be premiered at the WMEA conference with the 300 voice choir.  The composition was eventually titled “A Choral Fanfare.  The piece is now published through Four Winds Music Publishing.  A video of the performance will soon be available.