Next month, PCHS junior Hannah Gonzalez, 16, will perform at the Pioneer Center as a soprano with the All-State High School Choir. She’ll be the only Pershing County student in the group. The Nevada Music Educators Association calls them “the top performers in the state of Nevada.”
Gonzalez has been part of the Northern Zone Honor Choir since sixth grade. It was great news but no shock when she made it again this year.
“The only time I wasn’t able to take part in honor choir was last year due to Covid-19,” she said.
Only honor choir members can compete for the All-State Choir, an elite group comprised of about 200 tenor, bass, soprano and alto voices. “This is my first time being in All-State. I was proud of myself because the tryout process can be difficult,” she said.
To try out for honor choir, the students submit audition tapes to the musical board for their region. The tryouts for All-State take place in front of accomplished musicians from all over Nevada.
In mid-January Gonzalez auditioned in Carson City. For her solo, she sang parts of Brahms “How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place.” Her ensemble piece was in Latin – Anton Brucker’s “Os Justi.”
“Tryouts also included sight singing a melody you’ve never seen before as well as sight reading a rhythm you’ve never seen. Lastly, they needed to hear intervals,” she explained.
Gonzalez took it in stride, drawing on her musical and performing background. “I have played the piano since second grade and it contributed to my having the skills I needed to be part of these choirs,” she said.
If you’ve attended Lovelock Elementary School’s annual plays, you’ve seen some of Gonzalez’s work. She performed in the plays every year of her eligibility – from third through fifth grade. Her involvement extended into her high school years.
“I have helped with every single play since I was no longer eligible to take part in them in middle school. I’ve choreographed multiple dances that involve ballet as well as jazzy-type dances,” she said. “I try to pass along how wonderful music can be – singing and playing different instruments. I’ve picked up a couple since learning the piano.”
In 2019, as an eighth grader, Gonzalez choreographed Khloe and Abby Perez’s ballet duet in the Orphan Train, one of the most unforgettable moments of the play.
It all added up. She aced the All-State audition on her second try.
“The first was right when Covid hit,” she said.
Gonzalez’s achievement is all the more noteworthy since the school district has had no music program for a few years. Also, Covid-19 temporarily stalled the honors and state choirs. For example, there was no honors choir last year. All-State was virtual.
Still, she pursued her dream by trying out for All-State this year.
“Hannah competed against kids from the entire state, including students from charter liberal arts schools that have had private voice lessons since they were five-years-old,” said musician Kristy Berge, Gonzalez’s mentor for the past five years.
The All-State Festival is Apr. 7 – 9 in Reno. The first two days students will work with guest clinicians from around the United States at the University of Nevada. On April 9, at 10 a.m. the All-State High School Choir performs at the Pioneer Center.
It will be hard work with two days of practice and the performance on the third day. But that doesn’t faze the National Honor Society student and soccer player who paints, draws, paddle boards and does hair and makeup.
“I enjoy singing pieces with these choirs because I am not able to experience that in Lovelock,” she said. “Hearing your voice harmonize with seven different parts at a time is a beautiful experience.”
