The GHS choirs competed Saturday April 4 at the State Large Group Contest at Paseo High School.

According to Choir director Karrie Reitz, the students did an outstanding job both in the performance and sight reading areas.

Both groups received a division 2 rating which is considered an excellent rating. The concert choir received a 2 rating from the sight reading judge.

Reitz said this is a huge improvement from the previous large group competition they attended in 2011.

“I am super excited and proud of our choir students,” Reitz said. “They are making great strides toward excellence in music.”

About 90 GHS students participated: 20 in chamber choir and 70 in concert choir.

In addition to the more traditional contest exercises, the choir was brought into a room after they sang, and given a mystery song that they had to memorize in four minutes and then perform in front of one judge.

“Sight reading is not our strongest area, so I was a bit nervous, but I’m still proud of my students,” Reitz said.