By Mario Montalvo/ne news editor
Five NE choir members auditioned and earned a place in the Texas Two-Year College All-State Choir.
Linsley Liburd (tenor I), Morgan Wilson (alto II), Sterling Kohout (bass II), Andreana Marrero (soprano I) and Ashley Ghent (soprano II) auditioned at regionals in Weatherford.
The choir is made up of students from all over the state. Those chosen at the regional level will then perform at the annual Texas Music Educators Association convention in San Antonio in February. It’s one of the biggest music conventions in the nation, said assistant professor of music Bobbie Douglass.
“Texas is known for its music programs, and it’s huge,” she said.
Students first had to audition for Douglass before they could audition for the state choir, she said.
One lyrical piece students had to learn was “Chichester Psalms,” written by famous composer Leonard Bernstein. The piece is in Hebrew, which has been challenging, Douglass said. Some pieces are sung in Latin.
Each year, a well-known director is chosen to direct. This year’s conductor is Dr. Lynne Gackle of Baylor University.
Douglass said the experience is a good one for students.
“It allows the students to get the chance to work with a nationally known conductor,” she said.
Students don’t always get that opportunity at a two-year college, Douglass said.
“I like for the students to have that experience of working with a really well-known conductor to know what is demanded at that level of singing,” she said.
This is the second time for students Ghent and Kohout to earn a place in the All-State Choir.
Tenor Liburd has been singing his whole life, but it’s his first time to perform at a state level, he said.
“Since middle school, I have been in All-Region choirs, but I have never made an All-State Choir,” he said. “So this experience will be something completely new to me.”
Douglass said Liburd is a wonderful tenor and has a wonderful voice.
Liburd said he didn’t know where he would be if it weren’t for choir.
His decision to join was one of the best things he’d ever done, he said.
“Since joining choir, I have been given so many opportunities and met so many wonderful people,” he said. “The thought of singing and performing at TMEA excites me.”
To be surrounded by so many people of different backgrounds with the same interests and goals is inspiring, Liburd said.
“I know the final performance will be memorable,” he said. “And I cannot wait to finally experience it.”
