From left, Hayden Jones, Bri Chapman and Peyton Hammack were selected for the All State Show Choir from Hartselle High School. | Joy Haynes

The Hartselle High School and Hartselle Junior High choruses recently received superior ratings at district competition.

Both choruses were judged on a performance of two prepared songs and sight-reading. They both received straight ones, which is the highest score possible. All of the boys, girls and mixed choruses were able to perform, receiving superior ratings.

The Hartselle Intermediate School chorus also received superior ratings on their performance and a two in sight-reading.

HHS has a long-standing tradition of superior ratings, and choral director Kate Dupuis said she was very pleased with their accomplishments.

“The high school chorus has a tradition of excellence, and I thought our students carried on that tradition well,” Dupuis said. “We have a lot of hard-working students in these choruses, and they performed excellently.”

HJHS had 11 students selected to participate in the All-State Choral Festival at Samford’s Wright Fine Arts Center in Birmingham Fri., April 10 at 7 p.m. They auditioned for a spot back in November.

Chosen students include eighth graders Mary Elizabeth Adams, Davis Bates, Hailey Beard, Emma Bennich, Hannah Grace Blevins, Emily Crouch, Ethan Lawson and Gavin Jared and seventh graders Evan Bowling, Mitchell Kent and Kirk Morris.

HHS also had 16 students selected to participate in the All-State Choral Festival Saturday at noon. They have been preparing for the honor on their own time.

Chosen students include Lauren Allen, Tori Argenti, Colin Boggs, Reagan Bowling, Bri Chapman, Taylor Garrison, Peyton Hammack, Hayden Jones, Nathaniel King, JP LaMaison, Nicolette LaMaison, Chloe Nutt, Eli Parker, Julianna Pike, Jasmin Schaffer and Sydney Sneed.

“This is quite an honor for them, and they are an outstanding group,” Dupuis said. “I offer help for auditions, but this isn’t something we work on during class. They can come to me after school, so this is something extra-curricular for them.”

Dupuis said HHS had 12 students chosen last year, so her numbers have been steadily increasing.

“I have had more students selected each year for the All State choir,” Dupuis said. “Our choir numbers are staying about the same. It’s hard to grow with so many options for classes, but we are glad to be maintaining. I think it says a lot that we have more All State students each year even if we aren’t necessarily growing in number.”

Chapman, Jones and Hammack were also selected for the All State Show Choir. Only 60 students from the entire state are chosen to participate.

“These students are truly exemplary in their dedication to the choral department,” Dupuis said. “I couldn’t be more proud of them.”

The HHS Chorus will hold its spring concert April 30 at 7 p.m. in the Hartselle High School auditorium.