Montgomery High School Choir Singers Earn Prestigious All-State Honors

~ Kim Foster

Several members of the Montgomery High School Choir have earned spots on the Texas All-State Choir by the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA). The distinction is a culmination of an audition process that began last fall, including District, Region and Area levels of competition. All-State is the highest honor a music student can receive in the state of Texas.

The performers named to the TMEA All-State Choir are Nick Craddock, Quinn McClendon, Anna McKaughan and Landon Pate. For Landon and Quinn, this is the second time to receive the distinction.

McClendon, a senior, auditioned every year of his high school career. Each time it became more important for him to make the All-State Choir. “I have worked so hard, practiced the details, and really put myself out there,” McClendon said. “I know it’s said several times, but hard work really does pay off.”

Competition aside, this school year proved even more challenging in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’m so proud of these outstanding students being named to the Texas All-State Choir,” MHS Choir Director Heather Orr said. “Despite the many challenges we’ve faced throughout this school year, they remained committed to their personal musical development and demonstrated the very perseverance and dedication that ongoing participation in a choir program fosters.”

Over 50,000 choir students from across Texas began the journey to All-State last fall. As part of regional competition, they perform musical selections for a panel of judges who rank each student based on beauty of sound, musicality and over all nuance. Those selected to advance move on to the TMEA Area level of competition in the hopes of qualifying for the TMEA All-State honor.

“Ms. Orr and her students continue to amaze me,” Montgomery ISD Superintendent Dr. Heath Morrison said. “To be recognized as one of the top performers in the state of Texas is an incredible accomplishment for these talented students. Our MHS Choir’s tradition of excellence is a point a pride for our school district community.”