Washington High School’s Select Choir recently competed nationally in Nashville, Tenn., where they went head-to-head with schools from across the United States.
Despite being one of the smaller choirs in the competition, consisting of only 21 members, Washington achieved an 89 percent average out of 100 in its 3A Concert Choir division, earning a Silver rating. The category was a challenge with choirs considerably larger.
“It was an unforgettable experience watching performances from schools in Miami, Florida and California, showcasing the diverse talent across the country,” said WHS Choir Director Jessie Patterson. “Our hard work and dedication truly shined through. I am particularly proud to highlight that one of our judges awarded us an outstanding score of 95, which is a testament to the exceptional talent and commitment of our choir members.”
In addition to performing, the choir students had a chance to visit the Nashville area.
“This trip provided invaluable learning opportunities for our students to explore the music industry firsthand,” Patterson said. “On our first day, we made history by recording an album at the renowned RCA Studio B, marking a significant milestone for WHS Choir. One of the standout tracks from our recording session is our rendition of ‘The Rose’ by Ola Gejilo, a personal favorite among many of us.”
The WHS Concert Choir also recently showcased their talents at MSHSSA State Large Ensemble and received an overall "Outstanding" rating.
“During the competition, we tackled two challenging pieces with determination, earning an exemplary for our performance,” Patterson said. “While we are immensely proud of this accomplishment, we also recognize that there's room for improvement. We acknowledge that we didn't perform as strongly as we had hoped on the sight-reading portion of the competition, which brought us to the overall ‘Outstanding’ rating. This serves as a valuable learning experience, and we're committed to working even harder to excel in this aspect next year.
“I am so very proud of these students and our program for always striving to improve their skills. We use these achievements as motivation to strive for even greater heights in the future. I have no doubt that with our collective effort and determination, we will continue to make our mark in the world of choral music.”
Pictures from the WHS choir trip are below.
