Mar. 19, 2024 -- The 75 students that make up the Heights High's A Cappella Choir, Men’s Barbershop, and Women’s Barbershop received Superior ratings at the Ohio Music Educators Association (OMEA) District Large Group Adjudicated Event on March 15 at Mentor High School.

Each group performed three pieces in the most demanding category, Class AA, which has the most challenging repertoire to choose from and the most difficult sight singing selections. The A Cappella Choir achieved a score of ‘1’ from all the judges for performance and sight singing. The Men’s and Women’s Barbershoppers received mostly ‘1’s and a few ‘2’s.

The song selections performed by the A Cappella Choir were: With a Lily in Your Hand by Eric Whitacre, Musica Animam Tangens by Joshua Shank and The Battle of Jericho by Moses Hogan.

The Men’s Barbershop performed High Barbary by Arthur Hall, Dirait-on by Morten Johannes Lauridsen and Ain’-A That Good News arranged by Williams Dawson.

The Women’s Barbershop's song selections were: Danny Boy by Andre J. Thomas, Ave Maria by Guy Forbes and John Saw Duh Numbuh by Dede Duson.

Because of their Superior performances, all three groups are invited to perform at the OMEA State Competition on April 19 in Medina.

“It was an incredibly successful evening showcasing the hard work and talent of the VMD,” said Jesse Lange, Heights High’s Vocal Music Director. ”It is an incredibly rare feat to have 3 AA ensembles receive Superior ratings at Districts and to be invited to States.”

Jesse Lange is the Vocal Music Director and Rachel Ader is the assistant.

Heights High has not had a group invited to the state competition since 2019 and this is Lange’s first time having three groups advance in one year.

“We are excited and optimistic about our ability to succeed in Medina in April,” said Lange. “Thank you to VAPO (Vocal Arts Parent Organization) and to the faculty and staff at Cleveland Heights High School for your endless support.”