Throughout the school year, the choir program has broken school records at their annual competitions. These competitions include the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Region 21 All State Competition, UIL Solo and Ensemble Competition and UIL Contest and Sight-Reading Competition.
“One of my goals for the students in the choir program is to teach them that they shouldn’t ‘peak’ in high school,” choir director Kerry Baham said. “As such, I introduce a fast-paced, regimented class more akin to a college classroom. Hopefully, it changes their mindset and gets them looking more to the future as they decide what career they might pursue.“
A school record of 11 singers were named to the Region 21 All Region Choir. The treble choir earned a first division award at the UIL Contest and Sight-Reading Competition for the first time in this program’s history.
“We have improved so much as a whole choir program,” sophomore Jade Ross said. “I can’t wait to see what next year’s competitions look like with more students.”
Senior Grace Fischer and freshman Halle Lambert were the first to advance to the last round of the All State Competition. They then advanced up to the All Area status.
“[Mr. Baham] has really pushed me out of my comfort zone and has presented me with many opportunities to further my skills,” senior Grace Fischer said. “I also have learned a lot more about the academic side of choir like reading music in comparison to last year.”
Baham previously taught the award winning choral program at Bullard ISD for six years. This year is his first to teach at Lindale.
“This year, to me, was overall a better year in choir,” freshman Halle Lambert said. “I thoroughly liked it because our teacher had faith in us. There was not one moment he ever made it seem like we would fail.”
These competitions also require these students to learn pieces of music in foreign languages.
“Lindale has been very welcoming of me in this first year, and I appreciate the confidence of the administration as I begin to grow the choral program,” Baham said. “I think we are off to a great start, and the choral future is very bright for Lindale. ”
