Not only did 11 West Aurora High School Choir members gain all-state honors this year, but also the entire 60-member A Cappella Choir earned the right to perform at the all-state conference.

West students named to the All-State Chorus are Carolyn Ball, Allison Zabelin, Keith Latimore, Jackson Schultz, and Hans Luchs. In addition, the following students were named to the All-State Honors Chorus: Aaron White, Joe Arko, Rachael Watkins, Ellery Kline, Matt Schluntz, and Brett Kirhofer.

These singers earned the highest scores in sight-reading, tonal skills, tone quality, and performance of prepared pieces in a competition held Oct. 3 at Addison Trail High School. As a result, these students have earned an invitation to perform with fellow all-staters at the Illinois Music Educators Association All-State Music Conference, January 25-27 in Peoria.

In addition, the West Aurora A Cappella Choir, directed by Meg Papadolias and accompanied by Jonathan McLear, earned an invitation to present a concert at the conference.  A Cappella Choir will perform at the Riverside Church at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26.

The choir earned this honor by submitting evidence, including a recorded performance, of its quality.  West Aurora’s String Ensemble, directed by Steve Orland, will accompany the choir on two selections.

The 60-voice ensemble will perform a variety of music, from Gregorian Chant to Mozart, to U2, to music from “The Sacred Harp.” 

English and drama teacher Donna Letzter will narrate the concert.