Dayton Independent School District announced that eight Dayton High School choir students have advanced to the Area round of the Texas Music Educators Association All-State Choir audition process. This marks one of the strongest showings in Dayton High School choir history and represents a major achievement for the district’s fine arts program.
The students who advanced to Area after their performances at the Pre-Area audition at Huffman Middle School on Saturday, Nov. 6, are Jacob Smith, senior; Richard Caster, senior; Jeremiah Gant, junior; Keira Carroll, senior; Joseph Briggs, senior; Abigail Vega, sophomore; Anna Briggs, junior; and Olivia Williams, senior.
These eight students also previously earned placement in the Region 10 Vocal All-Region Choir, joining 14 Dayton choir members selected during the Sept. 7 auditions. They performed at the All-Region Clinic and Concert hosted at Westbrook High School on Oct. 20–21.
Dayton High School Choir competes in TMEA Vocal Region 10, designated for large school 5A and 6A programs, which includes Beaumont ISD high schools, Nederland High School, Memorial High School in Port Arthur and Dayton High School. Advancing eight students from Pre-Area to Area is a rare accomplishment and reflects the high caliber of Dayton’s choral program. The Area round, the final step before All-State qualification, will take place at Midway High School in Waco on Saturday, Jan. 10.
The TMEA All-State process is one of the most rigorous fine arts competitions in Texas. Students must advance through Region auditions, held Sept. 27 at Port Neches-Groves High School; Pre-Area auditions, held Nov. 6 at Huffman Middle School; and the Area audition on Jan. 10 at Midway High School. Students selected at Area will become members of the Large School Texas All-State Choir and will participate in the TMEA Convention in San Antonio from Feb. 11–14, performing alongside top 5A and 6A vocalists from across the state. Placement in the Tenor-Bass, Treble or Mixed All-State choirs is determined by ranking at the Area audition.
The last Dayton High School student to earn placement in the Texas All-State Treble Choir was in 2018.
Dr. Young, superintendent of Dayton ISD, praised the students and program, saying the accomplishment “reflects the dedication, talent and hard work of our choir students and their director. Dayton ISD is proud to see our fine arts programs shine at the state level.”
The Dayton High School choral director Anne Marie Smesny Landrum, now in her 23rd year, said, “This is the largest group of students the Dayton High School Choir has ever had advance to the Area audition. This is a huge accomplishment! It’s definitely a great day to be a Bronco!”
A former Dayton High School choir member said it has been many years since the program has seen a group of this size advance to Area.
All eight students will compete at Area on Jan. 10. Those selected will advance to the Texas All-State Choir, one of the highest honors a high school vocalist can receive.
Congratulations to the students and faciltator on their accomplishments! Way to go!
Hi,
What wonderful news and a testament to the incredible music program at Dayton High School! It’s truly inspiring to see these students’ dedication and talent recognized at such a prestigious level. The TMEA All-State process is notoriously demanding, so having eight students advance is a monumental achievement that speaks volumes about both the students and their directors.
My question is for the choir directors or the students themselves: Beyond the countless hours of individual practice, what was the most challenging or unexpected aspect of preparing for these auditions? Was it a particular piece of music, the stylistic nuances, or perhaps the mental fortitude needed to perform under such pressure? Congratulations to all.