A record-breaking seven students who placed in the All-State choir will perform at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention in San Antonio Feb. 12.

Seven out of 10 choir students representing Canyon High placed in the men’s, women’s or mixed choir Jan. 10 in Abilene. Students competed in a series of auditions over the course of the year, beginning with All-District in September, followed by All-Region in October and Pre-Area in December. Students who place in the top four earn spots in the mixed choir. Student placing fifth through 10th earn a place in the men’s or women’s choirs.

Director Brandon Farren said seven students is the most Canyon has ever placed in the All-State choir.

“This is an awesome group of students this year,” Farren said. “We are so proud of our All-Staters. Not just for making the choir, but for being an example of hard work, talent and the light they shine to show how important music is in our world.”

Students have worked several hours every day since August to learn the music and practice sight-reading for the last three auditions. Senior Hannah Dye said learning the music was a serious time commitment.

“Mr. Farren gave sectionals at 7:30 in the mornings to work the music,” Dye said. “Having to sing above the staff that early would really wake me up. While most people chilled over the Christmas break, I was up at my Grammy’s church every day practicing the fast melismas in the Bach for the area audition.”

Freshman Mitchell Hernandez said he is looking forward to the concert in San Antonio.

“This process is an opportunity to go to San Antonio and perform with the best musicians in the state,” Hernandez said. “We did this process to grow as musicians and give pride to our school. I’m so happy to be one of very few freshmen to make this choir in the history of Canyon High School and I couldn’t be prouder to represent my wonderful home.”

After performing with the All-State choir her sophomore and junior years, senior Bailey DeBerry said she is proud of Canyon for their results and happy to be a part of the All-State choir again.

“Having the honor of being a three-year All-Stater is incredible,” DeBerry said. “Singing along with the best in Texas gives me the chance to be around other people who share my passion and value the music as much as I do. I am so excited to have this experience with my friends from Canyon and to be a part of this program one last time.”

Senior Hannah Williams said she attributes most of her success to the Canyon choir program, Farren, assistant director Kelli Harter and fellow students who share her passion for music.

“The leadership and dedication of our directors and students has only been proven with such an outstanding result,” Williams said. “Everybody in the process has worked so hard, and they all deserve it.”

Senior Madison Younger said she is thankful for the process because she has learned through it that the results are the least important aspect and the goal is personal growth.

“Chair numbers don’t determine talent,” Younger said. “It is impossible to determine someone’s vocal capacity based on a couple moments of audition time. I owe so much to the directors Mr. Farren and Mrs. Harter for bringing such a light in my life and for giving me the confidence to find my own voice.”

The following students will be singing with the All-State Choir:

Soprano 1

Women’s Choir – Bailey DeBerry-10^th

Soprano 2

Mixed Choir – Hannah Williams-2^nd

Women’s Choir – Hannah Dye-6^th

Women’s Choir – Madison Younger-9^th

Alto 1

Women’s Choir – Chayse Armstrong-7^th

Tenor 1

Mixed Choir – Mitchell Hernandez-4^th

Bass 2

Men’s Choir – Aaron Hughes-7^th