Central High choirs win big in Midland

On Wednesday, April 17, nearly 200 students across four different competing choirs from Central High School traveled to the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center in Midland for the Regional UIL Concert & Sight-reading Contest.

Three of the four groups representing CHS brought home Sweepstakes Awards, the highest honor awarded at the contest.

This contest represents an entire year of growth and skill development by each of the groups and their student members.

The judges evaluate the choirs against the highest standards of excellence since there is only a single, regional level of competition. During these contests, each group performs a selection of musical works for a panel of three judges and then sight-reads for another panel of three judges. For a group to earn a Sweepstakes Award, they must earn a combined rating of Superior on both portions of the contest.

The Bobcat Chorale, Bella Voce Women’s Choir, and the Concert Ladies Choir each received Superior ratings in Concert and Sight-reading, earning each group a Sweepstakes Award. The Men’s Choir received a Superior rating in Concert and an Excellent rating in Sight-reading.

“We’re incredibly proud to have continued the history of superior, sweepstakes-winning choirs at Central High School that remains unbroken for the last 60 years,” says Landon Gilmore, Director of Choral Activities at Central High School. “We have a rich tradition of excellence in choral music at Central High School that goes back decades. Our students take great pride in continuing that legacy each year.”

The award-winning choirs from Central High School will perform in concert at 7:30 p.m.  Thursday, May 23, at Holy Angels Catholic Church. Admission is free, and the community is warmly invited to attend.

The Central High School Choir Program is under the direction of Mr. Landon Gilmore and Mrs. Sunday Vaught. Mr. Gilmore directs the Bobcat Chorale and Men’s Choir, and Mrs. Vaught directs the Bella Voce Women’s Choir and Concert Ladies.