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Tullahoma City Schools recently received exciting news, as 16 singers earned national or state recognition based on their recent successful auditions for their respective choruses.

TCS had seven students named to the American Choral Director’s Association’s (ACDA) National Honor Choirs, including five from West Middle School and two from Tullahoma High School. West’s Reece Stewart was named to the Tenor-Bass Choir, while Kyra Gentry, Gavin Good, Analeigh Spain and Adlen Thames were selected for the Youth Treble Chorus. Tullahoma High School’s Wesley Hanson was also named to the Tenor-Bass Choir, while Peyton Pinegar was selected to the Advanced Soprano-Alto Chorus.

These students will now take part in the 2025 ACDA National Conference in Dallas, Texas, from March 18-22. During those four days, singers will participate in their choirs and perform a concert with some of the most lauded choral directors in the country.

The audition for the ACDA Honor Choirs consisted of three parts. Students had to learn a prepared piece, demonstrate a vocal exercise to showcase the student’s range and perform a solo piece of their choosing. Students had to record their auditions and submit them by Sept. 27.

“I am incredibly proud of everyone who auditioned,” said West Middle School Choral Director Beth Hanson. “The act of preparing for an audition, knowing you may not get the outcome you want, is a bold step, and it makes every student a better musician, which also makes our choral program better. To have seven students earn positions in a national honor choir is a powerful showing of the talent and work ethic of the district’s choir programs.”

THS also saw seven students named to the Middle Tennessee Vocal Association (MTVA) Mid-State Chorus. Additionally, Hannah Warta was selected to the Tennessee Music Educator Association’s (TNMEA) All-State Choir.

“Hannah is an extremely talented singer and has successfully auditioned for All-State Honor Choir every year she has been eligible,” said THS Choral Director Melissa Hinds. “She continues to amaze me and, not to mention, the judges and audiences alike.”

While making the All-State Chorus, Warta was also named to the MTVA Mid-State Chorus. Joining her in that chorus are Marco Alvarado, Avery Caldwell, Wesley Hanson, Valerie Pacheco, Peyton Pinegar and Alex Tobitt.

Additionally, four TCS students were named to the MTVA Freshman Honor Choir. Tullahoma Virtual Academy’s William Dawe and Tullahoma High School’s Ella Bennett, Allie Hice and Leah Rhees were all selected for the chorus.

To be considered for the honor choirs, students needed to sing pre-selected songs and sightread during their auditions. Freshman singers performed “Ave Maria” by Jacob Arcadelt. Sophomores through seniors sang two pieces, “Crucifixus” by Antonio Lotti, while the women performed “Pueri Concinite” by Palestrina and the men sang “Beati Mortui” by Mendelssohn.

“Eleven students in the Mid-State or Freshman Honor Choir is the most that we have had over the last few years,” Hinds said. “This is a testament to the hard work of the students and the support from TCS administration and the Tullahoma community.”

The MTVA Mid-State Honor Choir will perform on Nov. 19 at Belle Aire Baptist Church in Murfreesboro. The MTVA Freshman Honor Choir will perform on Jan. 23, also at Belle Aire Baptist Church. The TNMEA All-State Chorus will perform on April 13 at Gaylord Opryland in Nashville.

“I am continually impressed by the amazing voices that we have here in Tullahoma,” said TCS Director of Schools, Dr. Catherine Stephens. “I am proud of every student who auditioned, and I am beyond thrilled for these 16 students who achieved this outcome, as this punctuates their talent. It also further highlights our incredible directors who pour into our students and the outstanding choral programs they lead.”