Editor’s Note: Previous reporting, per a source from the district, stated that David McKenzie was the first student from the district in decades to be accepted into an All-State ensemble — whether that be choir, band, or orchestra. Upon further investigation, it was found that Ellie Spangler was accepted in 2020 to Missouri’s All-State Orchestra for cello, but did not perform due to the COVID-19 pandemic. McKenzie will be the first student from the district in decades to perform in an All-State ensemble.
Affton High School senior David McKenzie is “turning into a fine musician,” according to his choir director, Dale Fearnley. McKenzie was recently accepted into Missouri’s All-State Honor Choir — the first from Affton in years to do so.
The All-District and All-State choirs are run through the Missouri Choir Directors’ Association. The All-District Honor Choir selects an ensemble of talented choir students in the area, then the top 20 singers from each section are invited to “reaudition” for the All-State Choir. Of that number, four students from each section, as well as two alternates, are chosen to be part of the statewide choir that will perform at the Missouri Music Educators’ Association Conference in January.
“We have students selected to sing in the All-District choir every year,” Fearnley said. “Although this is truly an honor to sing in these ensembles, to be selected to be part of the All-State choir is a step above.”
According to Fearnley, McKenzie is the first student from AHS to be selected for the All-State Honor Choir in the 18 years that he has worked in the district. In his 26 total years of teaching, 11 of Fearnley’s students auditioned, but McKenzie was the first to make it.
“I graduated from Affton in 1986, and before then, I don’t remember an Affton student being selected,” Fearnley said.
In addition to singing, McKenzie also plays instruments and acts. He recently finished student directing “Peter and the Starcatcher” with the AHS theater department.
“Every state has an All-State Choir, and it is just a wonderful thing that David can be part of this event,” Fearnley said. “It is a great way for him to remember his final year in high school.”
