Schools
Students Honored by Ferguson-Florissant School Board
The prestigious Monsanto Artists-in-Training vocal training program selected four McCluer North High School students for this year's program.
The District Board of Education meeting had some unexpected musical accompaniment Wednesday.
Four students serenaded the crowd of more than 70 people with an impromptu, a capella song after the board honored them for being selected for the prestigious Monsanto Artists-in-Training vocal training program.
“This program is very, very competitive,” said Darren Barnes, a senior who has been chosen for the program for the second year. “Even last year, there weren’t four people from one school, so that’s amazing.”
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Students selected for the program receive weekly lessons and coaching from opera professors and artists at the Opera Theater of St. Louis.
Barnes said he felt sure he or one of his classmates—senior Cierra Dalske and juniors Willnard Anderson and Kamaria Keely—will win some of the $10,000 in scholarship money offered to participating students.
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“We’re ready to compete,” Barnes said with a confident nod.
The students will showcase their vocal talents at a recital at 3 p.m. April 22 at Sheldon Concert Hall. They will also be recognized at the holiday concert with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra at 2 p.m. Dec. 16 and 18 at Powell Symphony Hall, where they will perform along with the McCluer North High School Chamber Singers.