Eight Kingfisher choir students took part last Monday in the Western Oklahoma Choral Directors Association Honor Choir at Southwestern Oklahoma State University’s Performing Arts Center in Weatherford.

Three of those students - Stormie Shockey, Liz Rutherford and Rylee Trent - were from Kingfisher High School.

Olivia Reyes, Mylene Jones, Jayden Shaver, Raechel Evans and Shelbey Osterholt represented Kingfisher Middle School at the event.

“I am so proud of those who made a choir and I am very proud of the new students who stepped out and auditioned,” said Kingfisher vocal teacher Diann Magnus.

Students auditioned Sept. 28 for the honor choir.

Fourteen from KMS and four from KHS took part in the auditions. Nine of those from the middle school were auditioning for the first time.

In all, about 250 high school students from western Oklahoma auditioned. Of that, the 120 highest scores made the mixed choir.

Approximately 320 junior high students auditioned and 138 of those highest scores made their mixed choir.

The next 101 highest scores earned a spot on the treble choir.

Magnus said students must score at least 50 percent of the highest possible score to earn a spot on any of the honor choirs.

Rutherford received a medal honoring achievement for having made the choir three years in a row as a high school student.

Jones, a seventh grader, earned a spot on the treble choir despite it being her first year to audition.

“It’s harder for seventh graders as this is a new experience for them,” Magnus said.

The students are now preparing to take part in the first round of All-State choir auditions in November.

Just taking part in those auditions is an accomplishment, Magnus said.

“There is nothing more personal than singing and auditioning can be very scary because it is so personal,” Magnus said. “I am proud of the work ethic I have seen in some of those auditioning. Many students who didn’t make a choir worked hard, but maybe just had a bad audition. “These events build strong character in those who apply themselves.”Magnus said her students continue to inspire her as a teacher.“I love my choir kids,” she said. “They make me want to work even harder.”