Six students from Ebenezer Middle School recently auditioned for and were selected for the GMEA (Georgia Music Educators Association) All-state Chorus.

Eighth graders Micheal Mitchell, Chandler Pate, Rakkia Smith and Tim Wyman, along with seventh graders Michele Bleam and Katherine Miles, passed a two-part audition where they each had to sing a prepared solo, sing three different scales and sight-read music they had never seen before. Once they passed these two auditions, held in Savannah on Feb. 25-27, they were selected to be a part of one of the two state choirs for middle school.

In addition, three EMS sixth graders were selected for the GMEA Sixth Grade Honor Choir. Brittany Brown, Emily Schroeder and Sarah-Lyn Ward auditioned and earned the honor of being part of the choir composed of the top sixth grade students of equal caliber from various schools across the state.

Students selected to perform in the state choir are recognized for their excellence in musical knowledge, vocal technique and interpretation. Auditions for Sixth Grade Honor Choir were held at the Clayton County Performing Arts Center in Jonesboro on Feb. 5 and 6.

Lawanda Allen, director of choral studies at EMS, was recognized for her outstanding abilities as a choir director and was selected to organize one of the GMEA middle school All-state choirs.