The SSAA and concert choirs from Houston High School received “1” ratings last Thursday at the State Music Festival. It was the 12th straight year the choir department as achieved the distinction.
Along with the two state plaque medallions, Houston earned 54 individual district medals and qualified 27 students for state. Every student who completed in ensemble and solo events earned a medal.
At the competition, students can receive anywhere from a “1” outstanding rating to a “5” mark for ineffective. A medal is earned with a 1 or 2 rating. Students with 1 ratings advance to state.
Advancing to state with “1” ratings were:
•Vocal solo: Macy Smith and Lucas Bailey.
•Vocal ensemble: Adryanna Kirn, Amelia McKinney, Bailey Moore, Carly Crawford, Ebin Smith, Ellie Locke, Emily Scott (two events), Gabi Hicks, Gracey Sullins (2 events), Hunter Brim, Jade Sisco (two events), Jaden Beasley, Kaitlyn Root, Lance Smith, Leila Shelhammer, Liliana Amick, Lucas Bailey, Smith, Paige Dennis, Rheanna Martin (two events), Savannah McNaughton, Summer Floyd (2 events), Tyler Gross, Vanessa Kirkwood, William Wilson, Wyatt Rist and Zach Brannan.
Receiving “2” ratings and medaling were:
•Vocal solo: Moore, Kirn, Brannan, Kirkwood, Floyd and Jaekan Moss.
•Vocal ensemble: Root, Crawford, Kirkwood, Hicks, McKinney, Kirn, Shelhammer, Lucas Bailey, Wyatt Rist, Brannan, Ebin Smith, Wilson, Lance Smith and Gross.
Students were judged on tone quality, diction, posture, breathing, rhythm and note accuracy, memorization, tempo, interpretation, phrasing, dynamic stage presence, ensemble precision, balance and blend.
HHS choir students earing district medals were, front row from left: Gabi Hicks, Amelia McKinney, Vanessa Kirkwood and Carly Crawford. Second row: Adryanna Kirn, Zach Brannan, Ebin Smith and Leila Shelhammer. Third row: Jaekan Moss, William Wilson, Lance Smith, Tyler Gross, Lucas Bailey and Kaitlyn Root.