Arnst had to go through an audition process that lasted approximately six months beginning in the summer at choir camp. More than 20,000 students initially entered the All-State Choir competition in September for district.
This competitive process begins throughout the state in auditions hosted by 28 TMEA regions. During Arnst’s first audition, she competed against chorale students from 1A-5A schools, including 900 just from the Corpus Christ area. It is important to point out is that this honor is not limited to small schools. There are no small school programs for choir.
The group was narrowed down for region competition in November and further narrowed down for area competition in January. The top four in each section was finally selected for the All-State Mixed Choir for a total of 228 singers. What makes Arnst so remarkable is that the majority of students that make the All-State Choir programs are from larger schools. In the recorded history of TMEA, no one in Live Oak or McMullen County has achieved this honor. She is the first.
Arnst has been seriously working toward this honor for three years. Last year she made the Region Choir and was 2nd alternate to All-State.
Arnst learned three pieces of literature for district competition, they include: “I’m Seventeen Come Sunday” by Percy Grainer, a German piece titled “Abendlied” by Josef G. Rheimberger and “Cantate Domino” in English and Latin by Ruth W. Henderson. Following district competition, Arnst went on to region competition and had to learn three new pieces of literature; they include: “Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho” arranged by E. Fissinger, and two Latin numbers, “Pueri Hebræorum” by Randall Thompson and “Buccinate in Neomenia Tuba” by Giovanni Croce. At each level of competition, the proficiency gets higher and higher. Every audition is twice as hard.
At area competition, she had to learn five more pieces of literature; they include: “Coronation Anthem No. 2 (The King Shall Rejoice) parts 1-4” and a German piece, “Wie der Hirsch Schreit” by Felix Mendelssohn. Before the final TMEA concert on Feb. 13, Arnst must learn “Shenandoah” arranged by James Erb, “John Henry” arranged by John D. Miller, and the “Star-Spangled Banner” arranged by Lloyd Pfaustsch.
One last interesting note is students that make the All-State Choirs, Bands and Orchestra have high SAT scores. TMEA has been keeping track off All-State music students scores since 1995. Last year the average All-State composite scores of music students was 1835. The state average was 1473 and the national average was 1511.
Additionally, for every year a student participates in music instruction, their SAT scores improve further, thus showing a strong correlation between music and academic success.
Arnst will be majoring in engineering, but if she had been majoring in music her recent honor would have opened numerous scholarship opportunities including full-housing scholarships, upwards of $40,000.
Arnst will perform the national anthem at the Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce Banquet next Monday. Her choral director is Cindy Hessong.
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