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Tea Area music programs report growth and competitive honors

Tea Area School District 41-5 Board of Education · December 9, 2025
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Summary

High school vocal, marching band and middle school music directors told the board that participation is up, students earned regional awards, and many students were selected for regional/national honor choirs.

Directors from the Tea Area music programs told trustees that student participation and competitive success remain strong across choir and band programs.

Janice Gilbert, the high school vocal teacher, said the high-school choir program now enrolls "225 students enrolled in 3 curricular choirs," including a record tenor choir and the 44-member mixed concert choir. Gilbert highlighted recent contest placements and that several seniors and underclass students were selected for the Midwestern ACDA honor choirs.

Stephanie Reich summarized marching and concert-band accomplishments, noting multiple first-place parade finishes, caption awards and numerous student selections for Honor Band and All-State auditions; she said the marching season included dozens of out-of-school rehearsals and competition travel. Middle-school choir director Ellie Whitehead reported 170 middle-school choir participants and several students accepted to regional junior honor choirs.

Board members and administrators thanked the teachers and recognized the role of parents, transportation staff and community partners in supporting travel and instrument needs.