The Alabama All-State Choir met in Birmingham March 4-7, 2020 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex. Hundreds of students from around the state take part in this event, which is sponsored by the Alabama Vocal Association. It is the highest level of performance for a high school choral student. Auditions are challenging, and selection is fiercely competitive. Tallassee High School had ten students (six boys, four girls) place in All-State Choir. SSA Choir (Soprano-Soprano-Alto Choir):
Abbey Bird
Rachel Bruner
Margaret Ann Burnham
Delena Dean SATB Choir (Soprano-Alto-Tenor-Bass Choir):
Samuel Gantt TTBB Choir (Tenor-Tenor-Baritone-Bass Choir):
Kyle Boatwright (also chosen as a soloist in this group)
Cole Ingram
Joe Lin
Koen McDaniel
Andrew Perkins Samuel Gantt was also selected as the “Outstanding Choral Student” for AVA District VI, which encompasses the central and southeastern part of the state from the River Region to the Wiregrass area. Sam was one of seven finalists from the state of Alabama and was recognized at the concluding concert Saturday at the BJCC. The directors of the THS Chorus are Kelley Hill and Michael Bird. Kelley Hill spent 26 years teaching in Montgomery Public Schools, the last 19 at Jefferson Davis High School, before coming to Tallassee this year. She is a graduate of Jefferson Davis High School and the University of Montevallo. Michael Bird was a band director for 20 years, most of it at Southside Middle School in Tallassee, before moving to Tallassee High School as a choral director three years ago. He is a graduate of Robert E. Lee High School and earned two degrees from Troy University. The students traveled with the Wetumpka High School choral students, directed by Jason Vawter; and the Dadeville High School choral students, directed by Zach Smith. |