NJMS Choral Students Sing Their Way To State Honors

SMITHFIELD, N.C. – North Johnston Middle School (NJMS) chorus students recently traveled to Cary Academy to audition for the North Carolina Honors Chorus. Under the direction of Lekisha Crouch, 22 students represented NJMS at the auditions, with eight earning a coveted spot in the statewide performance group.

The eight choral students selected to perform at the North Carolina Music Educators Association Teacher Conference in Winston-Salem this November are (From left): Xavier Gallegos, Sophia Taylor, Liza Stevens, Ky Sullivan, Ethan Gonzalez Vazquez, Benjamin Foxworth, Chandler Hawley, and Jonathan Regalado.

Sponsored by the North Carolina Music Educators Association (NCMEA), the North Carolina Middle School Honors Chorus represents one of the state’s highest honors for middle school vocalists. The elite ensemble brings together 160 to 200 talented sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade singers from across the state. Auditions are highly competitive, with students evaluated on repertoire performance and sight-singing skills.

The selected students will join Crouch in Winston-Salem for a multi-day event featuring intensive rehearsals and a live concert at the Benton Convention Center on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, during the annual NCMEA Professional Development Conference.