Commending the Cosby High School show choir program.

Commending the Cosby High School show choir program.
Agreed to by the Senate, February 5, 2026
WHEREAS, the Cosby High School show choir program, one of the largest high school choral departments in Central Virginia, celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2026; and
WHEREAS, the Cosby High School show choir program was founded during the school's first year in 2006 and, at that time, had five choirs composed of 135 freshmen, sophomores, and juniors; and
WHEREAS, the Cosby Choral Department now accommodates approximately 260 students in seven different choirs under the leadership of founding director Heather Glynn Andre and assistant director Ella Mort, along with countless other contributing music educators, including Robyn Kim, LeRoy Hughes, Peggy Ripley, and choreographer Jason Peace; and
WHEREAS, the Cosby Choral Department's mixed show choir, Spotlight, was founded in 2006 and won every competition in its division during its inaugural season; the choir has consistently earned grand championships across the Commonwealth, as well as recognitions for outstanding vocal quality, best choreography, best show design, best band, best costumes, and best stage crew, while being continuously recognized for its outstanding sportsmanship and outgoing encouragement of other teams at competitions; and
WHEREAS, founded in the fall of 2007, Cosby High School's treble show choir, Rhapsody, has competed and won at various competitions in the Commonwealth and across the country, including the Commonwealth Choral Invitational, Poca MusicFest, and the New England Show Choir Showdown; the choir has consistently received awards for outstanding vocal performance, best choreography, best show design, best costumes, best band, best stage crew, the People's Choice Award, and countless spirit awards for outstanding sportsmanship; and
WHEREAS, the Cosby High School men's choir was formed in 2016 with approximately 26 students from all grade levels; to date, it is the largest high school men's choir in Central Virginia with 44 members and competes in both the single voice chamber and concert choir categories, earning multiple first-place achievements and recognitions for outstanding vocal quality and performance; and
WHEREAS, the Cosby High School chamber ensemble, which serves as the most musically advanced standing choir in the program, has consistently received superior ratings in both performance and sight-singing since its inception; the ensemble has earned numerous awards for best vocal quality and best repertoire, as well as countless first place and grand championship rankings at festivals around the Commonwealth, including consistent superior ratings at the District Choral Festival and a grand championship ranking at the Powhatan Diamond Classic in 2025; and
WHEREAS, throughout the Cosby High School show choir program's 20-year history, Spotlight and Rhapsody have performed and competed throughout the Commonwealth, as well as at various festivals in Illinois, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Georgia, and Florida; and
WHEREAS, in March of 2022, the Cosby High School Choral Department founded the Titan Tournament of Choirs, a competition inviting multiple standing and show choirs from across the country to perform and compete; and
WHEREAS, in 2024, HomeRoom Show Choir's national rankings included Cosby Spotlight as the sixth-ranked program in the nation after they competed in West Virginia and Massachusetts; to date, the Cosby High School choirs have received more than 90 first-place rankings at competitions; and
WHEREAS, the success of the Cosby High School show choir program is the result of the hard work and dedication of the student singers, the leadership and guidance of their music educators and creative directors, and the unwavering support of their families and the entire Cosby High School community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That the Cosby High School show choir program hereby be commended on its superior 2025 season and for its accomplishments in music, performance, and advocacy for music education and the performing arts; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Cosby High School show choir program as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's admiration for its achievements and best wishes for its continued success.