Emery High Honor Choir Performs at Utah State Capitol

The choir sang before the State School Board as part of the "Day on the Hill" event.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 8:31pm

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The Emery High Honor Choir made the trip to Salt Lake City on January 30th to perform at the Utah State Capitol before the State School Board. This was the second time the choir has been invited to sing at the "Day on the Hill" event, after being unable to attend two years prior due to conflicts with the school's swim team.

Why it matters

The performance allowed the choir to communicate with elected officials and advocate for the needs and priorities of their rural school district. It also continued a trend of musical excellence from schools in the Castle Country region, following the Carbon High marching band's invitation to perform at the National Veterans Day Ceremony in 2025.

The details

The choir's director, Dave Bird, noted that the performance was an important opportunity to "communicate to them through meaningful dialogue about concerns that we have; making sure they have been educated to ensure that priorities are preserved and opportunities afforded to all students." The students demonstrated significant dedication, leaving Castle Dale at 4 a.m. to reach the Capitol on time.

  • The Emery High Honor Choir performed at the Utah State Capitol on January 30, 2026.
  • Two years prior, in 2024, the choir was unable to fulfill the invitation to perform at the "Day on the Hill" event due to conflicts with the school's swim team.

The players

Emery High Honor Choir

A high-performing choir from Emery High School in Castle Country, Utah.

Dave Bird

The director of the Emery High Honor Choir.

Utah State School Board

The governing body of the Utah public education system, which invited the Emery High Honor Choir to perform at the "Day on the Hill" event.

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What they’re saying

“This is actually the second time I've been asked to do this for the State School Board at the 'Day on the Hill' event. Two years ago, we were unable to fulfill this assignment due to the number of students who were on the swim team.”

— Dave Bird, Choir Director

“It was an important time for us to communicate with our elected officials and communicate to them through meaningful dialogue about concerns that we have; making sure they have been educated to ensure that priorities are preserved and opportunities afforded to all students.”

— Dave Bird, Choir Director

“I believe our appearance to hear from a rural school was a great way to represent the little guys.”

— Dave Bird, Choir Director

What’s next

The Emery High Honor Choir plans to continue advocating for the needs of their rural school district and maintaining their tradition of musical excellence.

The takeaway

The Emery High Honor Choir's performance at the Utah State Capitol demonstrates the power of music to give a voice to rural communities and advocate for their educational priorities. Their dedication and commitment to excellence serve as an inspiration for other schools in the region.