| Potvin earns state honor as an outstanding young director |
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By Joel Stottrup Mark Potvin, a choral director at Princeton High School since August 2001, has been honored as the Outstanding Young Choral Director of the Year by the Minnesota chapter of the National Choral Directors Association. PHS Principal Pete Olson announced the award to the crowd attending the Nov. 24 PHS fall choir concert Potvin was directing that evening. Potvin began a two-year leave of absence from the PHS choral director job this year to further his education. But he has still been visible at PHS this fall, first as director of the fall musical, “Beauty and the Beast,” as a substitute choral director, and now recently rehearsing students for the Dec. 12-15 Madrigal Dinner at PHS. Greg Douma, choral director at Eastview High School in Apple Valley nominated Potvin for the honor. Douma attended the same undergraduate college as Potvin — Luther College — but only knew of Potvin while he was there. Douma reached by phone this week, explained that he, Douma, was graduating from Luther as Potvin was starting out there. Douma said he heard at the time that Potvin was a promising future choral director and teacher. Douma said he decided to nominate Potvin for the honor after seeing him direct choir students at conventions. “I was impressed with the rapport he had with the students and the sound he was able to generate and the music in his program,” Douma said. “He was very savvy.” “I’m very honored and flattered to have been nominated,” said Potvin. Potvin said he doesn’t know why he was nominated but explained how his award fits in with other honors given by the Choral Directors Association. The association also gives out the F. Melius Christensen award, and the Outstanding Choral Director of the Year honor, Potvin said. The F. Melius Christensen honors a choral director’s lifetime achievement, recognizing the director’s longevity and contributions, Potvin said. The requirements to receive the Outstanding Young Choral Directors honor, according to Potvin are: • Having conducted choirs for eight years or less. • Having been active in the Choral Directors Association. • Having supported choral music locally and statewide. • Being recognized for outstanding programming in the choice of music literature and what concerts are put together, such as with colleges and other venues. Comments (0)
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