During this past 2024-2025 school year, the Akins choir has made a name for itself.
Growing rapidly from being a small program to a big family, over the past two years, the Akins choir has improved thanks to the hard work of Choir Director Andre Jackson-Hall.
This year, two choirs made school history while competing in UIL performances. UIL is the official state body that runs contests for fine arts programs in Texas. UIL for choir is a formal competition where each choir
is judged on its concert and sight-reading abilities.
The top goal of award provided by UIL is to receive a sweepstakes award, meaning the choir has received all 1 scores from
all six judges. This year, the Akins choir competed in several UIL contests, including Treble Choir, the Tenor Bass choir, and the Advanced Mixed Chorale. Choir members were pleased at the results of their endless
work and determination when both Tenor Bass and Advanced Mixed Chorale won sweepstakes, marking a first in school history.
Choir Director Andre Jackson-Hall said he encourages choir members to build trust with each other.
“First, they have to be able to trust you, and then trust each other, and then trust themselves,” he said. “I always tell my colleagues whenever they ask how I do, what
I do. I tell them, build the culture first, and then everything else will fall into place. And so putting the needs and the culture of your kids first, all.”
Region is another level of UIL competition that the Akins choir students have a chance to compete in. The region is where students from choirs from Central Texas learn a few pieces of music and do a blind audition in front of three unknown judges. Only the
top 20 students get picked to move on to the next level. This school year, the Akins choir had the most students make it into the regional choir, yet again making history.
The Akins choir is also a frequent per- former at the Austin ISD central office, where staff have requested shows recently.
The Eagle’s Eye interviewed several choir members about the program’s rapid growth in the last two years.
“My favorite memory is making it into the region, because I was surrounded by the love and support of my friends who became my family,” senior Janelle Ponti said.
Sophomore Mauro Can said she appre- ciates the opportunities the program has provided members, including a recent choir bonding overnight trip to visit Galveston Island.
“For the past two years, the choir has been able to expand to things that weren’t even available last year, and compared to this year. We’ve been able to do things,” Can said.
As the choir continues to grow in talent, the Akins Choir has become a powerful voice in the district and a source of pride for the school.
