Howard Payne University hosted a one-day clinic on Saturday, August 20th to help students as they prepare to begin the auditions that lead to selection for the Texas All-State Choir. Dr. Monte Garrett, director of Choral Activities at HPU was pleased to report that they had 79 students from 12 high schools. Schools represented were as close as Brownwood and Early to as far away as Ballinger, Harker Heights, and Red Oak.

Drs. Greg and Celeste Church led the tenor and soprano sectionals, respectively and the alto and bass sectionals were led by Alison Haygood (Weatherford High School) and Joshua Brown (Abilene High School). Drs. Allen Reed and Elizabeth Wallace assisted in accompanying the soprano and alto sectionals, while current HPU students Kaitlyn Zachary and Julia Hironaga assisted in accompanying the men’s sectionals. A 45-minute session on sight-reading was led by Mrs. Judy Reed (Early High School). A one-hour combined rehearsal on two of the pieces of music was led Dr. Monte Garrett with Dr. Allen Reed accompanying.

Pictured are seven members of the Acappella Choir from Brownwood High School who attended the clinic.  Left to right are:  Laura Cadena, Leanna Johnson, Zak Webb, Trey Fawcett, Meredith Underwood, Garrett Woods, and Haley Lawson.