Rockwood Students Earn All-State Choir, Children's Choir Recognition

A pair of Rockwood high school students were named to the All-State Choir, and two elementary school students also earned places in the All-State Children's Choir.

On Nov. 8, students selected for the All-District Mixed and Treble Choirs participated in a clinic and performance at Pattonville High. All-State Choir auditions were also held on this day, and Marquette High's Evelyn Dean (soprano) and Lafayette High's Ritika Pratihar (alto) earned spots in the All-State Choir. Marquette's Payton Bonczek (soprano), Lafayette's Elwyn Dignam (tenor) and Eureka High's Elise Ferguson (soprano) and Natalie Hoffmann (alto) also earned honorable mentions.

The All-State Choir will rehearse Jan. 28-30 and perform a concert Jan. 31 at the Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA) annual conference in Osage Beach.

Blevins Elementary's Lyla Dixon (higher part) and Geggie Elementary's Deborah Longe (lower part) were selected for the All-State Children's Choir. Students submit audition recordings with the support of their music teacher, which are evaluated alongside submissions from across the state. The All-State Children's Choir will engage in a full-day rehearsal with nationally renowned clinician, Greg Gilpin and will present a concert Jan. 27, also at the MMEA conference.

Congratulations to these talented Rockwood student musicians!

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All-State Choir

• Evelyn Dean, soprano, Marquette
• Ritika Pratihar, alto, Lafayette
• Payton Bonczek, soprano, Marquette (honorable mention)
• Elwyn Dignam, tenor, Lafayette (honorable mention)
• Elise Ferguson, soprano, Eureka (honorable mention)
• Natalie Hoffmann, alto, Eureka (honorable mention)

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All-State Childen's Choir

• Lyla Dixon, higher part, Blevins
• Deborah Longe, lower part, Geggie