Reedy’s choir will be performing at Prosper High School for the annual UIL competition on April 11 and 12. UIL stands for University Interscholastic lead, and is a school competition that has many different categories, one of them being choir.

“UIL is the state competition for whatever you’re competing in,” Sophomore Ian Lawson said. “For choir, you go in and you perform three songs and do sight reading.”

Two different choir groups will be participating at UIL. There is Nova, the girl’s choir, and then Chorale, the mix choir.

“We will be bringing the non-Varsity and Varsity Women’s choir together to form our girl’s choir, Nova,” Choir director, Mrs. Franklin said. “The second choir, Chorale, is a culmination of men and women.”

The two different choirs will sing 3 songs each: The Chorale will be singing “Do Not Stand at my Grave and Weep,” “Keep Your Lamps,” and “Yo le Canto todo el Dia.” And Nova will be singing “Dream Within a Dream,” “Sonatemi Un Balletto,” and “He’s Gone Away.”

“The songs we’re doing for UIL are a lot of fun, everything is just so different and unique,” Mrs. Franklin said. “The mixed choir, for instance, will go from a somber, sullen piece, to a more spiritual one, and then end with a piece in another language with clapping.”

For some students like Ian Lawson, going to UIL for choir will be a completely new experience. Other students such as Junior Grayson Graham, a tenor for the Chorale choir, have attended the annual competition in the past.

“I know UIL won’t be as easy as it was back when I was at Pioneer, but I’m hoping it will be just as fun,” Graham said. “I really liked getting to know a lot of people and I’m excited to have that opportunity again.”

Win or lose, students can assure the competition will be a positive experience and they are looking forward to it.
“Choir gives everybody an opportunity to express themselves and escape from the real world a little bit.” Mrs. Franklin said. “Even in my adult life, I like singing, because it’s a big stress reliever. UIL should be a lot of fun for everyone coming.”