Willard HS choir selected to perform at state conference, trade show

WILLARD — The Willard High School symphonic choir has been selected to perform at the Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) 2019 Student Achievement Fair in Columbus."We were actually nominated by a member of our school board," choir director Audrey Schussler said. "I believe we were the only choir (chosen)."The group of 66 student-musicians will perform from 12:15 to 12:35 p.m. Nov. 11 in Hall B of the Greater Columbus Convention Center. The choir is one of five groups selected to perform at the fair — a highlight of OSBA's 64th annual Capital Conference and Trade Show, which runs from Nov. 10 to 12."We will be performing literature from our fall concert as well as from our winter concert," Schussler said.The choir, which will represent the northwest region of Ohio, will sing five or six songs.Schussler said this is the first time the ensemble has been chosen to perform at the Capital Conference and Trade Show, noting she was "ecstatic" when she heard the news."It's an honor to be chosen for something so prestigious. It's an opportunity to show off for other school board members in Ohio," the director added.The Student Achievement Fair features 100 original projects and programs created by Ohio public schools."More than 9,000 public education stakeholders are expected to attend the Capital Conference. In addition, nearly 600 exhibitors will display their goods and services at the trade show, one of the nation's largest education trade exhibitions," said Scott Gerfen, OSBA spokesman."Founded in 1955, the OSBA leads the way to educational excellence by serving Ohio's public school board members and the diverse districts they represent through superior service, unwavering advocacy and creative solutions."Schussler said the Willard choir members are feeling confident about their upcoming performance."They are sounding really good," she added.