Vandegrift Viper Choir Assistant Director, Emma Lee, Lucy Draper, Director Emily Chandler
Lucy Draper (senior), Abby Brooks (junior), Casey Caldwell (senior)
Casey Caldwell, Abby Brooks
February 7-10 high school musicians from all across the Texas gathered in the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio for the Texas Music Educators Association Convention.
Vipers represented the Vandegrift choir well.
“TMEA sponsors the Texas All-State audition process to promote students’ dedication to their musical knowledge and skill and to encourage educators to support their students in this development. Beginning each fall, over 70,000 high school students across the state audition in their TMEA Region. Individuals perform selected music for a panel of judges who rank each instrument or voice part. A select group of musicians advances to compete against musicians from other Regions in their TMEA Area. The highest-ranking musicians judged at the TMEA Area competitions qualify to perform in one of 18 Texas All-State ensembles sponsored by the Band, Orchestra, and Vocal Divisions,” according to TMEA.
14,000 high school singers across Texas competed in a series of auditions from October to January for a coveted seat in one of four choirs: Mixed Choir, Treble Choir, Tenor-Bass Choir, Small School Mixed Choir.
Vandegrift’s Viper Choir was proud to have three vocalists qualify: Abby Brooks, 1st chair- Alto 1, Mixed Choir; Casey Caldwell, 2nd chair- Soprano 1, Mixed Choir; and Lucy Draper, 5th chair- Alto 1, Treble Choir. Students qualifying for Area also included James Penver and Elli Mendoza.
The four day convention hosted over 30,000 attendees, including 1,836 All-State students, offering opportunities for professional development, inspiration, networking, and exploration of products and services in the music industry. The students participated in daily clinics and rehearsals culminating in inspiring performances to crowds of music enthusiasts and educators.
The All-State Mixed Choir was conducted by Michael Barrett, conductor of the University of Pretoria, South Africa (Tuks) Camerata. The All-State Treble Choir was conducted by composer, conductor, scholar and music educator, Andrea Ramsey.
Submitted by Kristen Caldwell