After multiple rounds of intense auditions, Kingfi sher’s Diann Magnus was once again singing the praises of several students.

One high school, two junior high and multiple upper elementary students were selected for their highest honors.

Senior Raechel Evans earned a spot in the Oklahoma Music Educators Association All-State mixed choir.

Freshman Caroline Swafford and eighth grader Gisselle Ponce were named to the Oklahoma Choral Directors Association All-State treble choir.

Also, fifth grader McKenzy Wilson and sixth graders Hannah Johnson, Evelyn Martin, Valeria Rodriguez and Brailyn Schroeder were chosen for the OKMEA Children’s All-State Choir.

“These students have worked very hard,” said Magnus, Kingfisher’s choral director. “These auditions teach students how to work under pressure and how to be prepared.”

They’ve been at it for several months, in fact.

High school (Grades 1012) and junior high (7-9) choir members competed in the first of two rounds for spots in their respective All-State choirs.

“High school students sing sections from three of four songs learned and are judged in a blind audition by three judges,” explained Magnus. “Junior High sing sections from two of three songs learned.”

They are scored on voice quality, 25 points (20 points for JH); note accuracy, 20 points; rhythm accuracy, 20 points; dynamics, 10 points; diction, 10 points; intonation, 10 points (15 for JH); and phrasing, five points.

The top 25 scores from each of four tryout quadrants in the state advance to the second round.

That second round was Nov. 11 at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond.

It followed the same procedures as the first round and students were chosen by raw score to be in either the OKMEA mixed (male and female singers) and treble (female singers).

“The top 25 scores are placed in mixed and the next 35 in treble,” said Magnus, noting there were 1,600 students who originally auditioned for those few spots.

Evans earned a spot in that mixed choir and attended All-State Jan. 18-20 where she participated in yet a third round of auditions.

She was then among those selected to take part in the OKMEA All-State Choir that performed Jan. 20 at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center.

The choir was conducted by Dr. Z. Randal Stoope, composer and retired director of choral activities at Oklahoma State University. They performed two of his compositions - Tarantella and Song to the Moon - as well as six other pieces by various composers.

Junior high students took part in their second round Nov. 14 at Rose State College in Midwest City and also followed the same procedures as their first round.

The top 50 scores from Soprano 1, Soprano 2, Alto 1 and Alto 2 are selected for the mixed or treble choirs. The top 25 scores for tenors and basses are selected for the mixed.

“The top women scores are alternately placed in mixed and treble,” Magnus explained. “In other words, the top score goes to mixed, second top score goes to treble and so on.”

Swafford and Ponce were placed in the OKCDA treble choir.

They attended the OKCDA All-State Festival January 11-13, where they participated in a third round of auditions.

“They passed, securing their spot in the choir,” Magnus said.

They worked with renowned conductor and clinician Dr. Julie Yu, the director of choral activities at Oklahoma City University and artistic director of Canterbury Voices in Oklahoma City.

The choir performed on Jan. 13 at the Oklahoma City Convention Center.

Those trying out for the OKMEA Children’s All-State Choir did so via recording, which Magnus spent much of the month of October doing with her students.

“This process involves students singing scales, a harmony exercise and a prepared song a cappella,” Magnus said. “It’s a difficult process and requires students to have good ear training.”

Some 400 students auditioned and only 130 were selected…five of them from Kingfisher.

At the rehearsals the sixth grade, KUE students auditioned for an ensemble featured in the concert and all four students were selected. Their performance was at the OKMEA Conference held at the Cox Convention Center in Tulsa on Friday, Jan. 19.

The processes were difficult and demanding, noted Magnus, but also rewarding in multiple ways.

“They learn to analyze their work whether they make a choir or not,” she said. “We participate in these events because of the life lessons students learn. They grow as people and as musicians.”