A pair of Hays High School Choir members have recently claimed berths in the All-State Choir. Reb sophomore Emma Cole and freshman Taylor Cooper recently went to the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) All-State Choir Auditions at San Antonio’s Reagan High School. Emma earned a spot in the All-State Mixed Choir and Taylor earned a place in the All-State Women’s Choir. Both choirs will perform in San Antonio Saturday, Feb. 13, at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, as part of the annual TMEA State Clinic/Convention. 

Rebel Choir Director Charles Flores said his two talented students’ accomplishment “is the highest honor a Texas music student can receive.” The process begins with over 60,000 students vying for the honor of performing with one of 15 ensembles (choirs, bands, or orchestras) and eventually winnows the number down to 1,700 honorees. Emma and Taylor will join their fellow honorees in three days of rehearsals directed by nationally-recognized conductors, their performances before thousands of attendees bringing the entire event to a close. (photo by Jim Cullen)