The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) recently selected Max Gustafson, senior at Westminster Academy, to its All-National Honor Choir. The choir met this past weekend at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas under the baton of Dr. Anton Armstrong, from St. Olaf College.  Over three hundred and fifty students were selected from across the nation to sing in this choir, and Max was one of only sixteen singers chosen from the state of Tennessee.  Students were eligible to audition only if they made and participated in their All State Honor Choirs.  The ANHC audition requires learning a song, performing it and submitting a video to NAfME.  “We are so proud of Max Gustafson for being selected to the choir,” said Mrs. Young, Westminster Academy choir director and music teacher.

Max, who serves as senior class vice president at Westminster Academy, has been selected to the state honor choir for three consecutive years. In addition to participating in the choir, Max plays varsity basketball, participates in Youth In Government, and serves the community through several local outreach projects.

Previously this year, nine students from Westminster Academy were named to the Tennessee All-West Honor Choir. Those chosen were Freshmen Christley Vaughn and Elizabeth Ann Hickman, Sophomore Sally Walker, Juniors Lizzy Jorgensen and Hanna Newsome, and Seniors Max Gustafson and Houston Newsome.

Members of the honor choir will present a concert at Bellvue Baptist Church on November 19^th. Making the All Southwest Tennessee Honor Choir means that the singers are eligible to audition for the All State Honor Choir early next year.

“Being selected to the honor choir requires both extensive preparation and vocal ability,” said Mrs. Young. “That eight out of the nine Westminster Academy students who auditioned were selected shows a great level of talent and dedication by our singers.”