Working hard for a competitive advantage rarely sounded so beautiful.
Choir students from Killeen ISD’s five high schools gathered this week at Ellison High School for the district’s annual Region Prep Choir Camp.
For four days, soprano and alto singers (girls) rehearsed in the morning, and bass and tenor singers (boys) rehearsed in the afternoon on the audition music for All-Region Choir.
“We do this to get everybody a head start on the first round of music for the All-State process,” said Ellison Choir Director Amy Triggs. “These kids get two extra weeks (before school starts). We give them all the resources they need to start practicing now.”
Spread out in the school’s choir room and a few nearby classrooms, students worked alongside district choir directors to begin learning the music their peers will perform later in the fall.
The first audition is late September. The top 15 or so in each vocal part move on to the next level.
About 20,000 choir students across the state begin the competitive process in the initial region level and about 1,200 make it into the various All-State ensembles.
Last year, 11 KISD choir students earned All-State Choir status, the most ever.
Some students go to camps outside the area to brush up on their skills. Others are too busy or don’t have the means. Many students choose to attend the local camp for the instruction and for the comradery.
Chaparral senior Keilani Funez-Lenon loves most everything about choir and wouldn’t miss a chance to work on her skills close to home.
“I go to choir camp to learn the music early on so I can practice and get into region and hopefully pre-area, area and state. It’s fun, but it’s work. You learn quickly so it doesn’t really feel like work.”
“I really enjoy seeing my friends again and the directors. They are my favorite. I love learning new music.”
Funez-Lenon started choir in elementary school and has found far more than a favorite activity in singing with her peers.
“Music is my passion. It’s fun and it’s community. It’s joyous. Songs have made me cry on stage and made me giddy and jump around.”
The choir camp is also a productive time of collaboration for directors.
“The choir staff is so tightknit,” Triggs said. “The teamwork we experience is a natural flow and it’s fun to work together.”
Shoemaker sophomore Roy Zapata, planning to audition for region choir for the first time, said he was excited to get some pointers from experienced directors and peers.
“I’m going into varsity this year and I want to get better and I’m getting my voice ready,” he said. “I’ve always liked to sing. I started in middle school and stuck with it, and my choir teachers last year were very fun. I felt welcome to be in a group.”
Choir camp photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/killeenisd/albums/72177720327948166