CASA - The Contemporary A Capella Society

ToppSix is a six person a cappella group from Marshall School in Duluth, Minnesota. ToppSix started as a quintet that was pieced together when the barbershop quartet hired to sing for Mark Dayton's Democratic Convention in 2004 had to back out. The quintet was Erin Renier, Sarah Diener, Bri Bakke, Sam Bolen and Chris Seeling. The next Christmas, Geordie Diener was added, and the group caroled around town, with frequent appearances at the Polar Express event at the Depot. In the spring, ToppSix went to contest singing "You Are the New Day" by the King's Singers and received a perfect 40 and Ensemble of the Day. In May, Erin had to leave the group and Erianna Reyelts joined. ToppSix finished it's first season with a benefit concert for the Second Harvest Food Bank at Weber Music Hall organized by Bri Bakke for her Senior Project. When Sarah, Chris and Bri graduated, Kaylie Elstad, Kaitlyn Rudolph and Jonmarc Erlemeier took their positions. With an increased amount of Christmas gigs, ToppSix spread their name further around Duluth. ToppSix went to contest again in 2006 and received a perfect 40 on their piece "Sing Me to Heaven" by Daniel Gawthrop. They played a vital role in the "Fighting Hunger with Harmony" concert put on as Sam Bolen, Laura Hurley and Courtney Fladmark's senior project, and made an appearance at Baccalaureate to sing "The Parting Glass." Over the last few years, ToppSix has grown from a makeshift group to a staple in the Marshall music community. The founder and director, Sam Bolen, has graduated and left the group to junior Geordie Diener. Under Geordie's direction, the group will undoubtedly maitain musical excellence and continue to entertain the Northland.