Eleven Payson High School students had a remarkable opportunity to participate in the 2009 All-State Choir.

Katie Pace, Kelsey Quesada, Belen Moyano, Kyle Butler, Rachel Hansen, Jessica Hayes, Colton Crook, Kolton Roberts,Wes Parker, Josh Green and Kody Davis joined the best choir students in the state as approximately 700 students across the state gathered on October 10 to perform in the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City.

The choir was led by a world-renound choir director, Dr. James Jordan. He is considered to be one of the most influential directors in the world.

Jordan leads the choir at Westminister University, which is considered to be the best choral school in the country.

Jordan had a personal connection with each piece that the choir sang; he either knew the composer personally, or he arranged the piece himself.

"Dr. Jordan made music more than just notes on a page, but a way to express thoughts and emotions that can touch not only you, but your audience," Pace related.

Dr. Jordan really influenced these students. "Dr. Jordan not only changed the way I look at music, but also made an impact on me spiritually and emotionally," Moyano said.

The 700-student choir sang 5 pieces: "Gloria," "My Flight for Heaven," "Amazing Grace," "Iubelemius" and "Spheres."

"Dr. Jordan was able to make a choir of 700 people sound like a chamber group and brought is down to a personal level for all of us," Butler said.

Jordan himself was very impressed with the choir; he said they had great intonation. The experience was very powerful for all the students that were involved.