For the first time in the Alvarado High School choir program’s history, eight scholars attended and performed at the Southwestern American Choral Directors Association regional conference in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Alvarado’s choir members were part of a group of over 500 scholars from Texas, Missouri, Kansas, New Mexico and Colorado who spent more than 25 hours rehearsing advanced, college level music that was conducted by some of the top conductors from around the world.

“Being surrounded by hundreds of talented young singers really pushed our scholars to work harder, dig deeper within themselves and to produce sounds they didn’t know they could achieve,” director Hans Grim said.

Those from AHS who attended were Diana Velazquez, Davi Martinez, Carli Martin, Matthew Garner, Faith Boterf, Lily King, Michael Carson and Allison Price. Velazquez was chosen to perform as part of a soli during one song and Price was chosen to sing in German as an example for the entire choir.

Tryouts for the choir were in the fall and Grim was ecstatic to see so many from the Alvarado choir program earn a spot in their first attempt.

“Every single scholar returned to Alvarado forever changed by the experience and insisting that the whole choir try all the new things they learned in Little Rock,” Grim said. “They have brought that light and joy back with them to share with the rest of the Alvarado choir.”