Music programs in Lincoln County are hitting those high notes as a number of students have secured spots on honor choirs and All-State choruses in the state. Both Chandler and Stroud schools saw a number of students land these coveted spots.
“It’s wonderful because they’re so talented and they work really hard. So it’s a wonderful honor to show for all that hard work,” said Marilyn Meyers, choir director at Chandler Schools.
Chandler saw a total of 16 students make the East Central Oklahoma Choral Directors Association (ECOCDA) Honor Choir, three students make the Oklahoma Choral Directors Association (OkCDA) Junior High All-State Choir and one student make alternate for the Oklahoma Music Educators Association (OKMEA) All-State Choir.
Meyers said this about the usual number of choir students from Chandler that make the choirs. Normally, most students who audition make it, though this year, one student didn’t. She added that the students have been practicing since August for these auditions both on their own and with her.
Stroud Choir Director Charlotte Couch said that she couldn’t be more proud of her three students who made the Junior High All-State Choir.
“Their perseverance and hard work is to be celebrated and encouraged,” she said.
Last year, Stroud had the first two choral All-Staters that the schools have had to her knowledge, Couch said.
The choir is certainly keeping busy in the upcoming months with choir competition, solo and ensembles, as well as the choir and band traveling to compete in St. Louis in May.
The OkCDA Junior High All-State Choir will perform Jan. 11-13 in Oklahoma City, while the OKMEA All-State Choir will perform on Jan. 17-20 in Tulsa. The 2023 ECOCDA District Honor Choir performed on Nov. 7 at the Masonic Temple in Guthrie.
For Chandler, ECOCDA Honor Choir members are Elizabeth Myers, Colton Burbach, Weston Miller, Eli Smithey, Allison Radcliffe, Mae Solomon, Adrianna Rivera, Lily Milam, Julianna Stout, Dennis Rackley, Noah Davidson, Charleigh Cole, Aysia Wrenn, Madelyn Ledford, Colton Miller and Isaac Myers. For OkCDA Junior High All-State Choir are Eli Smithey, Allison Radcliffe and Colton Miller. Alternate for Ok-MEA All-State Choir is Colton Burbach.
For Stroud, OkCDA Junior High All-State Choir members are Isla Arabello, Brookelynn Gosnell and Brandon McNeill.