PHS students perform with All-State band, choir

Gabriel Lockhart, Nate Kinnison and Josh Stevens of Perryville High School recently performed with the All-State Band and Choir.

Three Perryville High School students -- Gabriel Lockhart, Nate Kinnison and Josh Stevens - were recently named to the All-State Band and Choir, which rehearsed and performed at Tan-Tar-A Resort, Jan. 25-28.

Senior Gabriel Lockhart was accepted into the All-State Band. He is the son of Angela Lockhart and Michael Lockhart, both of Perryville. He has played clarinet since the sixth grade. His band director at Perryville High School is Jay Peters.

Over 180 high school clarinetists auditioned for just 24 seats on the All-State Band. After winning his seat during the regional auditions in Jackson, Lockhart rehearsed and performed under the direction of Missouri All-State Band Conductor Dr. Glenn Price of University of Calgary.

Nate Kinnison, a junior, is one of the top 4 tenors in Southeast Missouri. He is the son of Mimi Kinnison and John Kinnison, both of Perryville. He has been a member of choir since the eighth grade.

Josh Stevens, a senior who sings bass, is one of the top 4 bass singers in Southeast Missouri. He is the son of John Stevens of Perryville. He has been a member of choir since ninth grade.

He and Kinnison's choir director at Perryville High School is Terry Edwards.

Kinnison and Stevens competed against over 190 other vocal performers in the region to qualify for the All-State Choir. They rehearsed and performed under the director of Dr. Timothy Sharp, executive director of the American Choral Director's Association.