The 23 choir students who made the All-District Choir Sept. 20 will audition for the All-Region Choir Oct. 18.

The Canyon choir took 33 students to the All-District auditions at Palo Duro High School. Out of 510 students from across the district who competed, the Canyon choir placed 23 chairs with three alternates.

“I was super nervous because I had been sick all week, but I was confident in my training,” senior Abby Franks said. “I trusted that Mr. Farren wouldn’t let me go into this without being completely prepared.”

Each student entered a room alone and sang several pages from the three audition songs. Junior Justin Johnson said the audition room, which has three judges concealed by a large curtain, was very intimidating.

“I was really nervous walking in, but then I remembered Mr. Farren’s advice and took a few deep breaths, and then I was calm,” Johnson said. “Then the music started up and I got nervous all over again.”

Students have attended morning sectionals once a week and practiced together in the choir room every day during activity period. The students also practice individually at home.

“We do none of this in class,” choir director Brandon Farren said. “It takes an incredible amount of dedication because everything happens outside the classroom.”

Farren said he is very proud of each of his students for participating and for representing Canyon so well.

“They sang with class and integrity,” Farren said. “They sang exactly how I wanted them to.”

Junior Kayla Finke said the most memorable part of the day was the announcement of the results and the atmosphere of the choir during that time.

“Every year we sit in a big group at the front and hold hands,” Finke said. “We even hand out watermelon-flavored chewing gum, because it’s a tradition. It’s really nerve-wracking because we have done all we can and at that point, it is up to the judges.”

The results are released to all contestants by the Region Chair, who calls the names of those who will advance. Senior Trevor Glenn said he often listens more for other names than his own.

“I was happy I made it, but I wasn’t really listening for my name,” Glenn said. “I find the most excitement in listening for the names of others in my choir family, and knowing that their hard work paid off as well.”

Sophomore Christian Theiss, who earned fifth chair, said he listened so much for other choir members’ names he almost forgot to listen for his own.

“I was really excited, but I didn’t really care about what chair I got,” Theiss said.  “The process made me a better musician. That’s all that matters.”

Results from All-District Choir Auditions

Soprano 1

Bailey Deberry 2nd Chair

Cheney Hopkins 7th Chair

Braelly Jones 8th Chair

Maddie Farren 9th Chair

Emily Tull 13th Chair

Soprano 2

Hannah Williams 3rd Chair

Hannah Dye 4th Chair

Madison Younger 6th Chair

Carley Robinson 13th Chair

Bailey McClure 17th Chair

Danielle Rice-Alternate

Alto 1

Chayse Armstrong 3rd Chair

Kayla Finke 8th Chair

Blaklee Brownd 9th Chair

Callie Boren-Alternate

Alto 2

Keegan Fenton 5th Chair

Abby Franks 7th Chair

Claire Horn 13th Chair

Tenor 1

Mitchell Hernandez 1st Chair

Tenor 2

Christian Theiss 5th Chair

Trevor Glenn 11th Chair

Bass 1

Nathan Soloman 15th Chair

Justin Johnson 16th Chair

Ryan Boren-Alternate

Bass 2

Aaron Hughes 1st Chair

Josiah Dye 9th Chair