Thirty-eight Gentry Junior School vocalists were named to the All-Region Choir. Directors are Mireya Mejia and Maribel Kohles.
GCCISD Score Big in Regional Vocal Auditions
Goose Creek CISD’s secondary level fine arts students in vocal music (choir) have traveled the region recently in hopes of earning coveted positions in the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Region Choirs. After being moved to Region 19, a new collection of districts which are known for strong choral programs, Goose Creek CISD students tested their mettle against some of the best.
At the junior school level, GCCISD choir programs auditioned and earned 55 seats in the Region 19 choirs, with all campuses qualifying students to the TMEA event. The campuses sent a number of students (Baytown Junior - 4, Horace Mann Junior -1, Cedar Bayou Junior -5, Highlands Junior -7) to the Region. An outstanding point of focus, however, was Gentry Junior School, which placed an unprecedented 38 students into the region choir, four of whom were 1st chair singers. With 38 qualifiers, GJS edged out all other districts in Region 19, including Deer Park and Pearland, with the most student vocalists named to that honor. Mireya Mejia, Gentry head choir director, contributes the success to the students and some creative classroom motivation.
“The success of our students stems from the culture that we’ve created in the choir program through leadership and high expectations. Our students focused tremendous energy in class time rehearsals. They worked harder this year than they ever have before and the students garnered a huge reward for that. We made a Region Wall of Fame and challenged the students to earn their name on it. They came in after school, during lunches and in their free time and rehearsed their music – they wanted to paint their name on the wall and that’s exactly what they did. They set goals and achieved them,” Mejia said.
In the high school arena, all three GCCISD choral programs qualified a total of 74 students to the Region 19 choirs. Ross S. Sterling High School led the charge, notching 36 qualifiers to the region and advancing 11 individuals to the Pre-Area round of the TMEA All-State Vocal Auditions.
“We’re just very fortunate to have students that work hard and want to be successful. They truly love singing and love the contest. Driving that passion for choir and success has really propelled them to these results,” said Levi Duncan, head choir director at RSS.
Pre-Area qualifiers were Zoey Henderson, Karsyn Heyen, McKenzie Comeaux, Carolina Villegas, Tomas de la Rosa, Cody Harris, Nic Pompa, Jayce Howard, Alex Contreras, Peyton Moseley and Andrew Beck.
Goose Creek Memorial High School bested that number of advancers, sending 12 of its own vocalists to the Pre-Area round while qualifying 35 students to the region choirs.
“Hard work and determination is what got our students here. We’re up against harder competition in the new region and our kids did wonderfully. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished,” said Holly Lewallen, GCM head choir director.
Pre-Area qualifiers for GCM were Skylar Newton, Seth Baal, Edgar Landa, Aidan Cottar, Angel Amador,
Trueston Buxie, Jalon Douglas, Erica Inman, Reyna Jackson, Courtney Riffle, Axel Rodriguez and Abigail Rodriguez.
Robert E. Lee High School did not have advancers to the Pre-Area playoff, but will send four of its outstanding male vocalists, Justo Rodriguez, Joel Lopez, Michael Sanchez and Jacob Benetez,
as members of the Region 19 Men’s Choir.
Phillip Morgan, GCCISD’s director of fine arts, was highly impressed with the results of the auditions.
“For Goose Creek to place 74 high school students in the new Region 19 choirs and advance 23 to the Pre-Area playoff/audition round is truly phenomenal. Our district has some of the most talented vocal instructors and students in the state of Texas and these results reflect that belief. Having Gentry Junior School boast 38 into the choirs speaks volumes to the superior instruction by our teachers in the development pipeline of our choral system at that level. They have amazing skill sets and our students reap the benefit of that fact,” Morgan said.
High School all-region qualifiers performed Saturday, November 12, at the Deer Park ISD Performing Arts Center. Qualifying All-Region Junior School choir students will perform in their respective concerts on Saturday, December 3, at the Deer Park ISD Performing Arts Center. Advancers to the Pre-Area round of TMEA All-State auditions will compete at the same location on Thursday, December 1, to try to earn a trip to the TMEA Area round of playoffs.