The Austin Academy Choir program has a rich history of award-winning performances, and our students are incredibly accomplished musicians.  Below are listed some of the amazing things that our choirs and individual students achieved during the 2017-2018 school year alone.  We can’t wait to continue adding more successes to our incredible resume!  

Following auditions held on January 27^th, 2018, there were a whopping 24 students from Austin Academy selected to the 2018 Region 3 All Region Choirs.  This is one of the toughest and most competitive regions in the state, so to be selected to this choir is a big honor.  Many students were in the top five in their room, and four were first chair.

Austin Academy Choir sent 88 students to the GISD Middle School Solo and Ensemble Contest on October 28^th, 2017, in addition to hosting this event open to over 700 GISD Students.  87 soloists received a First Division rating, and one ensemble received a First Division rating.  Of the 88 soloists, 26 were Outstanding Soloist Nominees.  Of the 27 Outstanding Soloists Winners selected contest-wide, 15 were Austin students, by far more than any other school!

In March of 2018, Austin Academy sent five 7^th and 8^th grade choirs to UIL Concert and Sight-reading Contest – A Cappella Mixed, A Cappella Women, A Cappella Men, Girls Select, and Men’s Chorale.  All five choirs received First Division ratings from all three judges in both the Concert and the Sight-reading portion, earning Sweepstakes.  This is an extraordinary achievement, and the directors are incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication that went in to making it happen!

A Cappella Mixed Choir was invited to travel to Waco, TX and experience Baylor campus on April 27^th, 2018.  In addition to a full campus tour, stadium visit, and meeting with current Baylor music students (including Austin Academy alumni), they also participated in a choral clinic with Dr. Lynne Gackle, Director of Choral Activities for Baylor University.  It was such an informative, musical learning opportunity to work with someone so esteemed and skilled.  This was an incredible honor that very few middle school students are able to experience!

Austin Academy participated in the Hawaiian Falls Choral Festival held on May 3^rd and 4^th, 2018, sending a total of five choirs of all ages.  Sixth Grade Choir, Girls Select, A Cappella Men, A Cappella Women, and A Cappella Mixed all sang extremely well, and our choir program took home a number of awards – five First Division ratings, five Best in Class awards, two Judge’s Excellence awards, and A Cappella also earned the Grand Champion trophy (awarded to only one choir at the entire contest).

Jonathan Coffield is excited to start his eighth year at Austin Academy, and his third year as Head Choir Director.  He has been teaching choir for ten years in both the Garland and Carrollton-Farmers Branch school districts.  A graduate of Baylor University in Choral Music Education, he has participated in various choirs, musical groups, and stage productions, directed various vocal ensembles, and, under vocal professor Dr. Randall Umstead, performed solo recitals.  A native of Garland, TX, and Full International Baccalaureate Diploma graduate of Garland HS, he has represented and performed locally, state-wide, and nationally.  He is a member of ACDA, TMEA, TCDA, TMAA, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

Jazmine Galan is thrilled to begin her first year of teaching at Austin Academy as the Assistant Choir Director.  Ms. Galan recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Choral Music Education from Texas A&M University - Commerce. During her collegiate career, she was involved in various choirs, operas, musical productions, solo recitals, and performances nationally and internationally. Last year, she had the honor of performing under the direction of Dr. Randall Hooper with the Texas A&M University - Commerce Chorale at the 2019 Texas Music Educators Association Conference. Ms. Galan grew up right down the street in Mesquite, TX. She is excited to begin her teaching career in a place that already feels like home. She is a member of TMEA, TCDA, TCTA, and Alpha Phi.

Private lessons are available for all interested students.  Austin is privileged to have two experienced and profession voice teachers who offer lessons to students.  These invaluable lessons reinforce musical skills taught in class and aid in the development of good singing habits.  They correspond with all choral activities (Solo Contest, All-Region, sight reading, etc.) and supplement our musical curriculum.