Many people are singing the praises of one special vocalist from Irving High School. Sophomore Lilla Fancher is the latest student to be added to the exclusive list of All-State musicians hailing from Irving ISD.
“All-State is the highest honor a student musician can earn from the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA),” explains director of fine arts Jeff King. More than 66,800 high school students enter the process each year, but in the end, only the top 2.5 percent earn the title.
After excelling through a series of four separate auditions, Lilla made it to the Area competition where she placed first chair in the Alto 2 classification. This was no small feat for the young singer whose hard work and skill landed her among the best of the best – many of which are upperclassmen. Now, Lilla will take her place in the All-State mixed choir.
“I am very proud of Lilla’s hard work, musicianship and commitment to singing,” says Irving High choir director Ricardo Monreal. “She has wanted to make All-State since middle school, and I am happy that I was able to help her achieve that goal her sophomore year.”
In addition to being a talented singer, Lilla is also self-taught in guitar and piano. Other accolades include participating on the Irving High literary criticism UIL team and her performance in the school theatre production Shrek the Musical.
Later this month, Lilla will travel to San Antonio for three days of rehearsals with the All-State choir during the annual TMEA Clinic and Convention. Afterwards, she and her peers will perform in concert under the direction of clinician Jerry Blackstone from the University of Michigan School of Music.
