JV Treble, JV Tenor Bass and Varsity Mixed choirs won sweepstakes at the UIL competition. The choirs performed at Allen High School yesterday and Tuesday.

“I thought the choir did great,” senior Audrey Hightower said. “We did the best that we could, and we pushed through all of our obstacles and everything covid wise.”

The choirs competed according to a rubric given to them by the judges. To earn a perfect score, the judge’s scores would have to average out to one. Sweepstakes is earned after earning ones in concert and sight reading.

“Well, according to our directors, we’re the best JV men there’s ever been,” freshman Jacob Smithwick said. “We all really enjoy singing, and we all want to be here. We’re all going to continue in choir, so I’m pretty confident that we’re only going to get better.”

While the start of the year consisted of COVID-19 policies that differed from the rest of the school to keep students safe in the class, choir was able to end their year with an in-person competition.

“We originally had to wear masks or face shields,” freshman Lauren Dolberry said.

Choir is now shifting their focus from UIL training to preparations for their pop show in May.  

“Lovejoy Choir is a great program,” Hightower said. “They’re going to have a great future. Everything’s going to be great for them. Ms. Koziatek and Mrs. D’Souza know what’s best for the program. They know how to direct that program well, and they always guide their students in the right ways.”