William Byrd Choir members recognized as “All District” singers

By Choral Director Matt Bartley

The 2025 All District Choir event recently took place on campus at Virginia Tech, and William
Byrd choir members were very visible as part of the event.

In order to be recognized as an “All-District” singer, students completed a competitive audition
that consisted of a prepared musical art song and a sight-reading excerpt. Top scorers were
selected to participate in the All-District event. Our musical district includes schools that span
the areas of Roanoke, Lynchburg, Danville, the Radford/NRV area and all schools in between.

Twenty William Byrd High School students rehearsed the afternoon of Friday, February 7, under
the leadership of two very capable guest clinicians. They were treated to a performance by the
Virginia Tech choirs on Friday evening. Fifteen William Byrd Middle School choir students
traveled with the high schoolers to VT for rehearsals that lasted all day on Saturday, February 8.
Both choirs performed at Virginia Tech’s world-class Moss Arts Center on Saturday evening to
culminate the event.

WBHS participants include Brooke Hershel, Megan Higgins, Alyssa Adams, Connor Wheeler,
Allison Bowling, Ava Lorton, Kaelyn Hilscher, Bindi Whitenack, Sidney Draper, William
Thompson, Lilly Duffy, Kaeleigh Swan, Alexis Short, Miley Moses, Brody Parrish, Olivia Bush,
Christopher Hurd, Nate Buck, Christian Parker, Owen Humphreys.

WBMS participants included Claire Draper, Nicole Eggleston, Marygann Jenkins, Ely Ball,
Jayda Baldwin, Sadie Whitenack, Aubri Kessler, Emmalyn Redden, Avery Ginter, Gracie
Chisom, Delaney Blewett, Madison Eubank, Zaniyah Jennings, Dori Booher, and Hanna Counts.