Holding their awards, the choir members pose for a photo after placing All-State. On Jan. 11-12, the choir went to San Antonio to compete in the All-State choir auditions. Five students came back placing, with one of them being the first freshman to place in seven years. “It’s such an honor to be the first freshman All-Stater in seven years,” freshman Adithya Muthukumar said. “I couldn’t have made it if it weren’t for all the work my directors, my voice lesson teachers, the encouragement of my mom and dad and especially my older brother.” Photo courtesy of Carlos Guerreo

On Jan.11-12, the choir went to San Antonio to compete in the All-State choir auditions. Out of 12 students that went, five of them came back placing All-State, making it the most in all of LISD and the greater Region 32. Senior Carlos Guerreo placed 1st Chair in Tenor 1.

“It was kind of a surreal moment,” Guerrero said. “I was kind of doubting myself after the audition. When I came out, I was like ‘oh I don’t know if I did that.’ I was [thinking] maybe third or fourth, but definitely not first or second.” 

To prepare for the auditions, choir members had private lessons and practice as a group during the school weeks. According to Guerreo, one of his biggest struggles was practicing sight reading.

“It was really hard for me,” Guerrero said. “[Sight reading] was one of the things that I really focused on because it [was] a thing holding me back from doing better than I did [in previous years]. Also staying on top of my music and making sure I was getting familiar with it was another struggle.”

For senior Krish Muthukumar, who placed 2nd chair, his preparation consisted of voice lessons and practicing with his brother, who was also an area candidate. He said having support from his family and the choir directors, Lisa Holt and Varsha Nathan, was also helpful for him.

“I think that all played a role in me getting this award,” Krish said. “Having that support system was really beneficial, and I think that was amazing because that’s ultimately what got both of us to make it into the All State choir.” 

Krish also got to do these auditions with his younger brother. Freshman Adithya Muthukumar was the first freshman to place All-State in seven years.

“It’s such an honor to be the first freshman All-Stater in seven years,” Adithya said. “I couldn’t have made it if it weren’t for all the work my directors, my voice lesson teachers, the encouragement of my mom and dad and especially my older brother.”

The members of the choir were given three prepared pieces, with a random part of the song that would all be chosen for them to perform at the auditions. They also had to be up at 5:30 a.m. for the area auditions.

“It was very tiring being there,” Guerrero said. “Once you auditioned, you had to wait for everyone else to be done. You also don’t know how well you actually did [since] you don’t hear people’s auditions. I was kind of trying to gauge how I did with everyone else.”

For Krish, one of the best parts of his placement was the fact that he got to do it with his brother. 

“I was really happy that my brother made it as a freshman,” Krish said. “That was even more amazing to me than getting in because, with this being my last year, this was the one and only time for the two of us to make it. That happening was, and I say this with all of my heart, the greatest moment of my life.” 

Getting to practice with his brother was something that Adithya said helped him overcome the challenges presented.

“Working with my brother helped me tremendously during this whole process,” Adithya said. 

“[The repertoire] was difficult to learn and I couldn’t have executed it well if it weren’t for the countless hours my brother spent working on my technique.”

According to Guerrero, this process has helped him learn important life skills. 

“Music is a big part of my life,” Guerrero said. “The entire process really helps with learning how to truly devote yourself to something and learning how to balance it within your own life. When you actually delve into something and have to put your whole self into it, you really learn the value of a hobby and having something to enjoy.”