Students in Marietta High School’s choir are celebrating a year of remarkable
achievements.
Beginning in June 2024, Show Choir member Haylen Lowery was chosen to attend the
prestigious Quarts Mountain Summer Arts Institute, where he collaborated with other
talented students from across the state, an incredible experience that set the tone for
the year ahead.
In October, the high school choirs competed at the East Central University Fall Choral
Contest, where every entry earned a superior rating.
“We proudly brought home a trophy, medals, and ribbons,” said Director Courteney
Starsick-Anderson. “They were a reflection of the countless hours of preparation and
our commitment to excellence.”
Also in October, 11 choir members participated in the Southeast All-District Honor Choir
held in Southeastern University’s Montgomery Auditorium in Durant. As a result of a
long and rigorous audition process, several Marietta students were honored for their
talent and hard work. Ace Austin and Eva Bucher earned six-year medals for their
selection and participation from seventh grade through their senior year of high school.
At the same time, Alexis Creasman and Claire McGehee earned three-year medals for
their participation in the choir.
The momentum continued into November, when 22 choir students auditioned for the All-
State Honor Choirs at ECU’s Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center. From those auditions,
four students were selected to represent Marietta at the highest state level. Bucher and
Austin were chosen as members of the OKMEA High School All-State Honor Choirs,
while Ashbye Testerman and McGehee were chosen as members of the OCDA Junior
High All-State Honor Choirs.
“Their performances at the OKMEA Teacher Winter In-Service in Tulsa and the OCDA
Teachers Conference in Oklahoma City were nothing short of spectacular,” said
Starsick-Anderson proudly.
February brought another proud moment as 13 middle school and 12 elementary
students represented Marietta Schools at the Circle the State With Song Region H
Festival, held at the Jerome Westheimer Center for Performing Arts with guest clinician
Jace Caldwell.
Also in February, the MHS Show Choir participated in the OSSAA District Solo and
Ensemble contest. Show Choir members include Austin, Kamarah Bertrand, Bucher,
Brice Carlile, Creasman, Talon Gomez, Cynthia Lopez, Lowery, Benito Maldonado,
McGehee, Breqlynn Perryman, Jansen Renick, Jariah Sutherland, and Shawn Vasquez.
“I was beyond thrilled when the entire group qualified for State,” explained Starsick-
Anderson, “with five qualifying solos, five qualifying ensembles, and all remaining
entries receiving excellent ratings!”
The highlight of the spring was the OSSAA State Solo and Ensemble Competition held
at Crossings Christian School in Oklahoma City. The group entered five ensembles and
five solos. Bucher, Lowery, and McGehee earned superior ratings for their solos while
Creasman and Austin received excellent ratings. Four of the ensembles received
superior ratings and one received an excellent rating.
Altogether, the group brought home an incredible 36 state superior medals and nine
excellent certificates. Every Show Choir member earned at least one medal, which
made the entire group state champions.
Another proud moment for the choir – and their director – occurred this spring when
Austin, Creasman, and Bucher signed letters of intent to Southeastern University on
music scholarships. Austin will pursue a degree in music performance, Creasman in
nursing, and Bucher in music education.
“Having the privilege of teaching them throughout elementary, middle, and high school,
it is incredibly emotional to me to see them spread their wings are continue their musical
journeys,” Starsick-Anderson insisted. “I am especially proud that they will all be
attending school at my alma mater.
“This year has been a testament to the power of music, hard work, and community. The
Marietta Choir family is stronger, closer, and more accomplished than ever. It has been
an amazing year for us, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds!”