Griffin musicians have had several reasons to sing over the past few months. Senior brothers Mark and Michael Cook are representing Buckley at the California All-State Honor Choirs event this Thursday-Saturday. That’s on the heels of Greg Sliskovich ’12 making Buckley history when he took first place in the finals of the Southern California Vocal Association Vocal Solo Competition on March 11.
“It was such an amazing experience and I was so proud that I was finally able to perform on a truly professional and get rewarded for it,” said Sliskovich. “I am of course thankful for all the support I received from teachers and especially students. It means the world to me to have such an amazing family sending me good wishes.”
“This is a significant honor, as Greg was awarded for the best performance in this classical voice contest where he competed with nearly 100 singers from the southern region of the state in two rounds of competition,” said Choral Director John Hendricks.
The Cooks were selected for membership in the All-State Choir based on auditions. Earning this honor means that they both rank among the top choral tenors in the state. They will prepare a concert with students representing 119 schools that will take place on Saturday, March 24, at 2:00 p.m. in Lake Avenue Church at 393 N. Lake Avenue in Pasadena.
And if that wasn’t enough music to the ears, in early February, 20 Buckley students participated in the CAIS Honors Music Festival in the categories of band, strings orchestra, and chorus. To perform in this esteemed event, faculty nominates students who are then reviewed by a committee at Viewpoint where the competition is held. Musicians who are accepted gather with students from 12 other schools for a 24-hour period during which they prepare and perform a concert. The Honors Music Festival concerts are led each year by prominent conductors. “This festival is a wonderful chance for our advanced singers to make music with students from other schools with similar talents, make new friends and experience other conductors.” said Hendricks.