The eight choir students named to the pre-area choir will advance to the area audition Jan. 9 in Abilene. The area audition will determine placement in the TMEA All-State choir.

The audition process began with district in September, followed by region and most recently pre-area. About 112 students auditioned at pre-area, 19 of which were Canyon students. The top five voices from each of the eight voice parts were named to the pre-area choir, including eight Canyon students.

“I am just so thankful to Mr. Farren for using his extra time to work with all of us and help us learn our music better,” junior Christian Theiss said. “I walked into the audition room very confident because I knew my music very well. When I finished singing I was really confident in my finished product.”

Theiss said he was excited and relieved to learn he advanced to the next audition after working so hard for this one, which included singing parts from two songs of a high difficulty level as well as sightreading.

“I think the sightreading was hard for others because they were not prepared, but for me it was a breeze,” Theiss said. “Mr. Farren does an excellent job preparing us for auditions.”

Sophomore Claire Horn said preparation for the audition took a lot of note taking, practicing and repetitive work. Horn was named first chair in the Alto 2 section.

“I was really nervous,” Horn said. “Last year I made it to this audition but didn’t get to go to state, so this year it was my goal. I could not believe I made it to state, much less first chair.”

Horn said in her two years of competing in the All-State process, she has grown as a musician and learned an important lesson.

“This process has taught me to enjoy music more fully,” Horn said. “It is not always just about getting everything exactly right. It is about why you are making music and how it makes you feel.”

Results from Pre-Area auditions:

Soprano 2

Emily Tull- 4th Chair

Alto 1

Chayse Armstrong- 2nd Chair

Kayla Finke- 5th Chair

Alto 2

Claire Horn- 1st Chair

Blakelee Brownd- 2nd Chair

Rebecca Granda- 4th Chair

Tenor 1

Mitchell Hernandez- 2nd Chair

Tenor 2

Christian Theiss- 4th Chair