The NW Star Award is Given to Darcy Reese

The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council is excited to announce that Darcy Reese of Thief River Falls received the Northwest Star Award. The award was presented to Reese on Sunday, April 27 in Crookston at the University of Minnesota during the NW Art Exhibit Awards Reception and Program.

Reese was given the NW Star Award for Creative Directing of the Choir. She was a choir teacher for 37 years in Thief River Falls and received national recognition and awards for choir direction. She received the Minnesota Music Educators Hall of Fame Legacy Award earlier this year. 

Originally from Greenbush, Reese grew up on a farm and attended Bemidji State University where she received a BS in vocal music and general classroom music. Immediately after college, she began teaching in Thief River Falls. Later she attended Mankato State where she received a master’s degree in educational leadership and her principal licensure. 

In the early 2000s Darcy experienced Black gospel music and conducting when professional artists began coming to her school to work with the students. She also took the students to the Minneapolis metro area and out of state, including New York City to perform and experience a variety of musical genres. These opportunities broadened her students and changed the way she conducted the choir. Darcy embraced and introduced her students to the music, culture, and history of Black gospel, American Indian dancers and drummers, the Holocaust and Judaism, and LGBTQ+ issues.

Darcy and the Lincoln High School Concert Choir were featured in a program on Prairie Public TV in 2019. Watch it at https://youtu.be/041C0j9upPA?si=Z4y__fyTACw_Sckw.

School Board Vice Chair Misty Hempel explained that in the classroom Darcy brought “forward music that is challenging and pushes the students beyond their comfort zone. Not only do they execute performances on pieces of collegiate difficulty, but they do so in languages and dialects from an incredibly diverse library of genres. Darcy allowed her students to come into her classroom and safely show up as themselves. No judgment, no criticism, and no expectations other than to be kind, do your best, and always listen and support others. She taught them so much more than the love of music … she taught them to love themselves and all of humanity.”

Principal Scott Brekke said, “Her enthusiasm, her innovation, and her dedication to choir education is exemplary. What truly sets Mrs. Reese apart from other educators is her ability to see students' strengths when they are not evident. Students in her choir are very diverse in their backgrounds. She cultivated that diversity and ability of each student into an amazing performance that resonates with a wide audience. Mrs. Reese provided many different experiences for students to learn how to connect with the music. They don't just sing. They personalize the music through classroom discussion, guest speakers, videos, and reflecting on how it impacts their life and the lives of others.”

School Board Member Michelle Westerman explained part of Darcy’s unique approach to teaching and directing. “Darcy not only encourages the best of her students as a choir teacher, but she understands the importance of cultural competence in our community and beyond. She has developed and worked on several projects that immerse her students in cultures outside of their own to give her students the opportunity to see the world in someone else’s shoes. Not only does she do that through her song selection, but through group and individual studies that dive into a deeper understanding of that culture. By leaning into the culture and meanings of the songs they sing; they can put the emotions and spirit into their songs. They have a personal understanding and interest in portraying the culture appropriately. It is not just a song, it becomes a part of who they are.”

Darcy has advice for aspiring artists. “You have to put the time and energy in. It doesn’t happen overnight. And you must make connections. It takes patience. Work on your talent daily.”

About the impact that music and the arts has on individuals and society, Darcy explained, “Music and all other art forms brings out the HUMAN in us. When you hear a song, see a painting or watch dancers the human spirit feels something. Often you can’t describe what you experienced because words don’t do justice to the artistic experience. I believe that if the entire world faithfully experienced the arts once a day, the world would change for the better.”

The NW Star Award comes with $5,000. Artists can only receive it once as a lifetime achievement award. Funding for the Northwest Star comes from The McKnight Foundation. Three awards are given each year to recognize artists and arts advocates within our seven-county region who stand out in terms of artistry or volunteerism in the arts. Of the Year Award winners were nominated by area residents. 

Congratulations, Darcy!