Seven Grady High School chorus students are headed to the 2016 All State Chorus Program in Athens, Feb. 25-27. Front row, left to right: Max Calderon, Shann Mack and Justin Oliver. Second row, left to right: Hannah Prausnitz-Weinbaum, Kendall Stroud, Emma Mathews and Alex Tischer
By: Alicia Sands Lurry
Students at Grady High School have plenty to sing about, thanks to seven of its singers recently passing their second All State Chorus auditions.
Max Calderon, Shann Mack, Emma Mathews, Justin Oliver, Hannah Prausnitz-Weinbaum, Kendall Stroud, and Alex Tischer are now headed to the 2016 All State Chorus Program in Athens, Feb. 25-27, where they will join 1,000 students state wide to rehearse with an acclaimed conductor and perform a large concert.
This year marks the first year Grady and Atlanta Public Schools has sent a record number of students to the competition.
“I am so honored to work with these skilled singers on a daily basis,” said Kevin Hill, Grady High School’s choral director. “They have all worked hard and put in countless hours for a number of years to develop the skills needed to pass the audition. It is so satisfying to see them get the recognition I know they deserve.”
Sponsored by the Georgia Music Educators Association, the All State Chorus program is designed to recognize the best singers and choral musicians in the state. According to Hill, students go through two auditions in the selection process. For the first regional audition, students perform scales, a solo (a specified classical aria) and three sight reading exercises. They also take a short written test to assess their music theory knowledge. If they pass the first audition, students are given the music they will perform at the All State program. The second audition tests the students on how well they are prepared with the music. They must past the test with a score of 70 percent.
Of the more than 7,000 students who audition, only 1,000 are selected in participate.
“It’s a huge honor to be selected,” Hill noted. “I’m really proud of the kids.”
