Discovery, Journey and Liberty vocalists accepted in Alabama All-State Choir

MADISON –Students in all three middle schools in Madison aced audition and were accepted in the 2025 Alabama All-State Choir.

The young vocalists from Discovery, Journey and Liberty middle schools were successful at the Alabama Vocal Association All State Choral Festival in their bids to perform as members of the All State Choir.

“This is a high honor,” Dr. Ed Nichols, Superintendent of Madison City Schools, said in his “District Update.” “Each student had to (prepare) six challenging choral pieces on their own and audition for a judge. Preparation requires much dedication, commitment and time management.”

Any student in grades 7-12 enrolled in a school choir class was eligible to audition. To audition, students submitted a virtual or online performance of seven songs in a range of styles and languages to Alabama Vocal Association. Students were required to perform each song from beginning to end with an instrumental background track.

The choir students auditioned for their vocal part in one of the ensembles in the all-state group: * Discovery Middle School — Aliya Vega and Joel Monroe, Mixed Choir; and Swara Gopinathan and Abby Wilson, Treble Choir.

* Journey Middle School — Aryna Baria, Julia Benson, Addisyn Buchanan, Charvisri Donthula, Lanelle Marriam, Blakelyn Novack, Iyona Orji, Rowan Ramos, Leah Richardson, Eliana Sulvia, Emily Steverson and Isabella Urhahn, Treble Choir; Alexander Frei, Logan Henley, Antonio Hughes, Timothy McKee and Daryn Smith, Mixed Choir.

* Liberty Middle School — Arianna Fowler, Rena Hale, Jordan Johnson, Lydia Madi, Kyndall Mosley, Rose Polpanich and Akensly Steger, Treble Choir; Tejas Iyer, Eli Harvard, Levi Holley, John Asher Newman, Shade Oponiano and Konnor Tippie, Mixed Choir.

“These students displayed dedication and hard work in preparing for the chance to receive this huge honor. We are so proud of these talented singers,” according to Facebook/Liberty Middle School. “Making an All State Choir is the highest honor for a choral student in the state of Alabama.” The students will perform at the Alabama All State Choral Festival in April 2025. The All State Choir members will work with guest clinicians throughout day.

In other honors, Tejas Iyer in Liberty Men’s Choir was selected to participate in the 2025 Tenor- Bass National Honor Choir, which the American Choral Directors Association or ACDA coordinates. Iyer was one of 1,200 student singers who auditioned for this choir; only 250 students earned a spot in this prestigious group. The ACDA National Choir will rehearse and perform on March 18-22, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.

For more information, visit alabamavocalassociation. org/all-state-chorus- auditions.