Singing on pitch, putting on a performance, and creating harmonies are just a few skills that a choir student needs to master. DJ Cooper, a freshman at Elkhorn High is one of very few who has perfected these talents and earned a spot in the All-State Choir.
Cooper said he has had a passion for music for as long as he can remember, but he didn’t give a public performance until a middle school talent show when he was 12.
“I just really liked music,” Cooper said. “In sixth grade I was in the talent show at Elkhorn Middle School, and that just really put me onto music in general.”
Cooper participates in mixed choir and enjoys the maturity level of high school choir compared to middle school choir.
“The environment is really good, and everyone takes it seriously,” Cooper said. “Also the songs are good.”
It’s not common for freshmen to make All-State Choir. In fact, it has been several years since an Elkhorn freshman has qualified.
“It wasn’t until about maybe eight years ago that freshmen were eligible,” choir director Abby Thompson said. “It used to just be juniors and seniors.”
Tryouts for All-State include preparing six challenging music pieces that are performed for evaluation. Hundreds of students from across the state audition, which makes the competition more difficult.
“Students are engaged in a competitive audition, usually around 1,000 students audition and 400 are selected,” Thompson said.
Coopersaid he feels a bit of pressure to sing well since he is a freshman and first-time All-State qualifier. Even with the pressure, Cooper said he feels the time and effort he has put in will pay off.
“I feel like I have to do really well and I have to prove that I’m worthy,” Cooper said.
