Recently the CCSD Honor Choir auditions were released to all students in the district. While any student could audition in the district, there are different levels based on students’ grades. Students in the Shadow Ridge Choir were very excited for the opportunity. Around the time students found out about the auditions they had about three weeks to prepare. Besides just practicing their music on their own, some things that helped them prepare were practicing during class, learning how to sight read, and just making practicing part of their daily routine rather than just one or two days out of the week or just in class.
Originally, 20-25 students in the Shadow Ridge Choir were supposed to audition but fourteen students actually ended up going through with the process. Out of those fourteen students, eleven made it. Those eleven students were freshmen Aniya Jemison, Logan Soard, sophmores Dylan Eecklor, Logan Bejosano, juniors MaKayla Brennan, Rachel Fitzgibbans, Robert Stroud, Matthew Funez, and seniors Emmaline Leavitt, Sterling Burnett, and Aaron Gowan. Although auditioning could be nerve racking to some and exciting to others, it is still very good to get the experience because the more students do it the more comfortable they will get.
For students who do get nervous before auditions or just the thought of them, the choir teacher at Shadow Ridge, James Halvorson stated, “Preparation is key, I try to get them to take any opportunity they can. It’s all about if they can read the music, how well they can listen to each other, and the more they sing, the better.”
The CCSD Honor Choir had their concert on October 21, 2025 and it was located at Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall at UNLV. According to the students they thought the concert went really well.
Sophomore Eecklor stated, “It was an amazing opportunity to get to sing with other gifted singers.”
Eecklor is not new to the process of auditions or even to the class. Eecklor has been working very hard and practicing consistently.
She stated, “This is my second year in high school Honor Choir but I’ve been doing it since seventh grade.”
That alone shows how determined she is in pursuing something she loves.
The CCSD Honor Choir is not only a fun experience for students but it also helps build more skills when it comes to performing, gaining confidence, and achieving certain vocal requirements.
Even though the Honor Choir for this year is over, students don’t stop there. The choir students will continue to practice and work hard to prepare for more auditions and concerts this school year. The CCSD Honor Choir was a great addition to these students for the 2025-2026 school year.
