Recently, three students from Poplar Bluff High School, Sarah Harty, Jesse Greer and Brett Russell, as well as choir director Cheri Dawe, attended the All-State choir competition held Jan. 23-26 at Tan-Tara-A Resort in Osage Beach, Mo.

The choir members had to go through a series of steps to get to All-State, including auditioning and being selected for All-District choir before even getting to audition for All-State.

While at the state competition, Harty, Greer and Russell performed songs such as “O Clap Your Hands,” “Come Thou Font of Every Blessing” and “Wade in the Water.”

After auditioning for solos at All-State, Harty’s and Greer’s hard work paid off when they were chosen as alternates. Russell auditioned for a counter-tenor solo.

“My favorite memory from All-State was the people there,” said Harty. “We were all so comfortable with each other, even though most of us were strangers. I also really enjoyed getting to see the people I met at the Missouri Film Arts Academy again!”

Greer added, “All-State was a great experience and it was really nice to be in a place where everyone really loved music and wanted to do the best they possibly could.”

Although this was the seniors’ last time attending All-State, they wish the underclassmen choir members the best and leave them with their advice to making it to the top:

“Work really hard and never give up,” said Greer, “and it wouldn’t hurt to be on your choir director’s good side!”

Harty also added, “[All State] takes a lot of work and dedication. You have to really want it to get it.”