Russellville High School had seven students travel to Montgomery in January to perform with the Alabama Vocal Association Honor Choir at the Alabama Music Educators Conference, and one RHS student participated in Alabama All-State Show Choir.

Jacob Davis, Avery Guinn, Emmanuel Cooper, Braden Bales, Amelia Camacho, Amberly Brown and Abby Montgomery participated in the Alabama Vocal Association Honor Choir. Senior Macey Vandiver participated in All-State Show Choir.

The Alabama State Arts Council sponsored this trip to provide funding to allow students to participate.

“We are just thankful for them sponsoring us and allowing our students to go,” said RCS choral teacher Emily Rush. “Everyone learned so much.”

About 30 schools were represented at the Alabama Music Educators Conference, giving students the chance to connect with fellow students with similar interests and learn from professional vocalists.

Students who performed at the conference learned from nationally recognized vocal instructors. Students had two days to learn the music for the concert before performing it.

In addition to the students learning, Rush and RES music teacher Lauren Ritter were able to attend the conference and learn from fellow music educators.

Rush said this was her third time attending the conference and Ritter’s first time.

“We both were able to take a lot away from it,” Rush said.