Vocalists with superb talent from across Alabama will join onstage in March for the All-State Chorus in March. Among them will be six from Russellville.

Senior Leah Nix, juniors Destiny Cooper and Sydney Burcham, sophomores Elizabeth Pierce and Patrick Crummie at Russellville High School and seventh grader Madeline Cooper of Russellville Middle School will each selected through audition process to be part of this elite group.

“I am always super proud of students who make All-State as it is a huge honor,” said RCS choral director Emily Rush. “I was an All-State student myself, so I know how much work and dedication it takes to be selected. This is a special group of students.”

Pierce was also selected for All-State as eighth grader, and she said she fell in love with it then. “Getting to be around people who care about and love music just as much as you do is a great thing,” Pierce said. “I didn’t make it my ninth grade year, so I came back this year ready to work hard. That hard work paid off.”

For Madeline Cooper, this was her first year of eligibility.

“I am extremely excited about being selected for All-State Chorus,” Cooper said. “I cannot wait until we get to start practice. I have been told that when you go, you will feel amazed (because) it is all of the best of the best singers in our whole state all in the same room singing the same song. I am truly honored to have been selected for this special chorus, and I cannot wait to represent Russellville Middle School.”

In addition to All-State Chorus, Burcham, Crummie, Nix and Pierce were also selected for All-State Show Choir in Montgomery, today through Saturday morning, where they will work with a professional choreographer and vocal clinician.

Rush said she knows her students who are going to be involved in these two programs will have an “unforgettable experience.”

“It’s great to see them stick through this through several years,” Rush said. “It shows their love for music and also is a great resume builder for those that wish to pursue music beyond the high school level.”