On Sept. 30, State High’s Choirs held their fall concert in the Performing Arts Center. The concert included the 9th Grade Choir, Treble Makers, Cecilian Singers, Chamber Singers, Master Singers and OMA (which originally stood for Only Men Allowed, but is now all inclusive), all in one night. This event marked the first concert of the 2025-2026 school year and sparked excitement among the members and their families.
With the concert including every choir in the school, choir director Erik Clayton had to work hard for it to be ready by September. Clayton explained that having a plan from the very beginning and making sure to carry it out allowed for the concert to run smoothly.
“I’ve had a countdown going number of classes until the concert, and that lets me stay on track and keep the pace going. And everybody picks the right music so it’s not too hard, but is hard enough to get them [the students] to dig into it,” Clayton said.
Clayton’s specific goals and work ethic led to a successful concert. He was quick to thank his students for their cooperation, for they are necessary for the success.
“They’ve been great, and I’m blessed with amazing students. They’re just so sweet and wonderful to work with,” Clayton said.
Clayton’s respect towards his students and method of teaching have been well received. Chamber and Master Singers member Ethan Swauger expressed his gratitude for Clayton and the joy he finds from being a part of in choir.
“I always look forward to hanging out with my friends and singing seasonal songs. It brings a lot of joy participating in school spirit … Mr. Clayton has been a huge impression on making such an enjoyable experience,” Swauger said.
Swauger also shared what Clayton has done to further help lead up to the Fall Choral Concert.
“He holds me up to such a high level of performance and he makes you feel rewarded in what you do,” Swauger said.
Clayton’s ability to help students reach their full potential is something he has worked on for a while. He explained how he had many choir teachers in his life that helped him understand how to go about teaching. Clayton was a member of State High’s Master Singers the first year it was founded, so he has a generous amount of experience.
“My director was really amazing at doing that [being a good role model], breaking it out by grade level, and doing kind of audition, non-audition. It allows you to focus in on where students are at and how to get them to learn and improve. And that was really inspiring,” Clayton said.
Clayton has found music inspiring to his personal life for as long as he can remember. He comes from a family of musicians and finds music and choir very important for the quality of life.
“It has a community to it where you’re singing together, and that’s really amazing. And when we were singing about expressive music, the music helps us feel better, even if it’s singing a sad song. Sometimes just feeling that emotional change really helps you understand yourself better and also appreciate all the good things in life, all the beautiful things in life,” Clayton said.
Clayton especially emphasized how he hopes students find joy and a sense of community in choir as well. Member and soloist for the 9th Grade Choir, Teagan Long, helped confirm Clayton’s hopes by sharing her love for choir and the importance it has had on her life.
“Choir, singing, has always been a part of my life and it’s just so great to have something that I love doing and to look forward to in the school year … I am so lucky, so blessed to have this opportunity,” Long said.
Long also shared how Clayton is very helpful at continuing her enjoyment of choir and her want to keep going to each rehearsal and show.
The 2025 Fall Choral Concert filled the entire PAC with friends and family ready to see the six choirs perform. Clayton and the students’ hard work and dedication allowed for the concert to be this early and run smoothly. Clayton plans to continue the work and have another choir concert in the future.
