After they placed at All-State on Jan. 10, at the University of Arlington, Texas (UTA), choir students Jason Sneed, 12, and Tyson Frank, 11, will perform at the Henry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio on Feb. 14.
“Going through all the rounds was very rigorous and definitely the most mentally difficult thing I’ve had to do mentally like ever,” Sneed said.
All-State is an audition process to show students’ dedication to their musical skill and knowledge. Sneed and Frank received music for All-State over the summer to prepare for the first round held in the fall. Both of them sing with chamber and the mixed choir.
“I was shaking and jumping for joy when I found out. I was also shocked and I still am shocked,” Frank said.
Sneed and Frank found out they made All-State right after the last person auditioned at round four. They will be Choir Director Josh Powell’s his 13th and 14th students to earn a place in an All-State choir.
“It was a crazy combination of relief and excitement because I was really nervous for them, and they’ve been working since this summer,” Mr. Powell said. “So, I was happy and relieved for them but super excited.”
There are four All-State rounds to compete in before making an All-State choir. Round one took place on Sept. 13 at Martin High School. The second round took place at Mansfield High School on Oct. 18. The third round followed Nov. 20 at Legacy High School.
“The All-State rounds were very tiring, but very beneficial to me as a singer and like growing,” Frank said. “I was able to work on my vocal technique, and then also my nerves for auditions and like professionalism.”
Making a chair for All-State means a student successfully earned a placement or specific rank within the competition. Frank and Sneed advanced. Frank made chair nine in the tenor-bass choir while Sneed made chair four in the mixed choir.
“It feels pretty good. I guess it just shows the hard work that we put in, but it’s also very hard to not stay humble,” Frank said.
Over 70,000 Texas high school students start the All-State process in the fall. Four choirs made up of 1,810 students perform and rehearse with the following: Large-school mixed choir, treble choir, tenor-bass choir, small-school mixed choir.
“It feels amazing,” Sneed said. This is something that I’ve wanted since eighth grade and it’s something I’ve been working toward for two and a half years now.”
