Grant Burger Makes All-State Choir

High school senior Grant Burger was recently named to the All-State Choir, the highest individual vocal music honor in the state. Saturday, Oct. 8, Sounds of Joy members attended District Choir at Smith Cotton, Sedalia. The students had been selected to the All-District Choir after auditions had been held in September at Odessa High School, all of these students were then eligible to audition for the All-State Choir. Grant Burger received the honor of being named to the All-State Choir. He sang an Italian song called, "Gia Sole Del Gange" for his audition. When interviewed, Grant was very surprised he had done that well. "I felt sick that day and never thought I had done that well. I was very surprised with my performance." California High School Choir director Michele Bilyeu was not at all surprised, explaining, "Grant has taken private voice lessons. He is a very talented and versatile singer and can sing well on any type of song." Bilyeu also stated that Grant is the first male from California to make All-State since 2003. There are 64 schools in the West Central District that have students auditioning

and a total of sixteen students from those are selected for the All-State Choir and will be performing together with approximately 300 students from around the state in January at Tan-Tar-A.