DMS sixth-grade students joined voices when the annual Circle the State with Song returned to Duncan.
The Circle the State regional festival took place Jan. 28, at First Baptist Church in Duncan.
According to the Oklahoma Music Educators Association website, “Circle the State is an opportunity for exceptional music students to work with guest choral clinicians on challenging music with other students from across the region.”
Various regional festivals took place across the state. The DMS and Duncan elementary students took part in Region U, which also includes Comanche, Marlow and Walters.
The Duncan Middle School students attended the festival with their choir teachers, Courtney Miles and Alexandria Robinson. The festival carried a fee of 45 dollars per student.
“Circle the state is an opportunity for elementary and middle school students and our part of the state to come together and sing music they wouldn’t in their classrooms,” Miles said. “We are one of 21 regions in the state that are doing this.”
Weston Cox was one of the sixth-grade students who participated in the regional Circle the State. He said the festival was a fun experience.
Cox said there was a level of difficulty to Circle the State. He said he joined choir in fifth grade and has continued with choir because he enjoys singing.
Sophia Turner was another sixth-grader who participated in Circle the State.
“(Circle the State) is how to learn songs in different languages”(I like) how you can explore music.”
Turner joined Circle the State because had prior singing experience. She said she likes singing and had a talent for singing, which is what motivated her to join choir this year.
Miles said the festival does take practice, but she appreciates it’s focus on the younger choir students.
“We participate for the sixth-graders because they can’t audition for state,” Miles said. “Circle The State gives sixth-graders more opportunities.”
