Making History: Wylie East Choir Earns Prestigious Invite

The Wylie East Choir has earned a prestigious invitation to perform at the 2026 Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Convention, the only 6A mixed choir selected and the first Wylie ISD Fine Arts program to achieve this distinction.

Senior Miguel Chavez, president of WEHS choirs, said the invitation to perform at TMEA is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“TMEA is a nationally attended convention that we were chosen for out of the entire state,” Chavez said. “It is a showcase of choirs that were selected to perform there. To really establish ourselves as a top choir, not just in the nation, not just for the title, but for the merit it holds, and the immense amount of responsibility is something we’re very proud of.”

Each year, nearly 30,000 attendees gather in San Antonio for the TMEA Clinic/Convention, making it one of the largest music education events in the nation. This vibrant gathering brings together music educators, students, families, visitors, and exhibitors for an unparalleled experience of professional development, performances, and networking.

“I think our directors are the reason we were chosen,” senior Isabella Cavalier, student director of the WEHS mixed choir, said. “We want to be good for them because they are so good to us. That environment is what pushed us to work so hard to reach the point where we are a choir that is as good as we are.”

The Raider Mixed Varsity Choir is among the elite chosen to participate in 100 inspiring performances featuring choral and instrumental ensembles, ranging from elementary to college levels, alongside top professional groups.

East’s TMEA performance theme is “Atlas.” Students will sing a wide range of songs from around the world.

“We have a song that was commissioned for us based on the words from the poem that’s on the Statue of Liberty, called ‘The New Colossus,’” Cavalier said. “This song versus our French piece is about as opposite as you can get. It’s a very fun program. All of the songs are super touching and exciting. There’s something for everyone.”

Under the direction of Dr. Nathan Dame, Ashley Dame, Andrew Carr, and Elizabeth Harris, 96 students will travel to TMEA in San Antonio in February.

“This choir that is performing at TMEA isn’t the one that got us to TMEA,” Chavez said. “It was the choirs before us and the Dames, of course, and all of the other directors that led us to this big moment. We are honored to represent all of the choirs that came before us, and the choirs that will come after us.”

The community doesn’t have to travel to San Antonio to hear the Wylie East High School Choir perform their TMEA selections. The choir will perform a free pre-TMEA concert on Feb. 3, 2026, at 7 p.m. in the Wylie East Auditorium.

“If you want to come listen, we would love the support and the hoo-rah to send us off,” Cavalier said.