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2026 ACDA Southwestern Region Conference March 4-7, 2026 Albuquerque, New Mexico

Francis Howell North High School Granbury High School
Bella Voces Varsity Treble Choir

The Granbury High School Varsity Treble Choir
is one of three varsity choral ensembles at Granbury
Bella Voces from Francis Howell North High School High School and is an auditioned group of treble sing-
in Saint Charles, Missouri, is an auditioned treble cham- ers in grades 9–12. The Granbury High School Varsi-
ber ensemble that was founded in the fall of 2018 and ty Treble Choir was awarded second place in the high
encompasses sophomore through senior students. Since school division of the 2024 American Prize in Choral
then they have been featured on concerts with Webster Performance, has earned multiple recognitions in the
University and Lindenwood University, earned top Foundation for Music Education Mark of Excellence
ratings at national festivals, and consistently received Project, and consistently earns top ratings and best in
exemplary ratings at the Missouri State High School class designations in choral festivals. Members partici-
Activities Association Large Ensemble Contest. They pate in the TMEA all-region and all-state process, and
have enjoyed residencies with Distinguished Concerts are involved in a variety of extracurricular activities
International at Carnegie Hall, featuring the works of and service organizations.
Ola Gjeilo in 2018 and 2024, and under Eric Whitacre
in 2022. Kendra Fisher is in her twenty-third year
teaching secondary choral music in Texas
Jennifer Oncken is in her ninth year as di- public schools. She is director of choirs
rector of vocal music for Francis Howell at Granbury High School and director of
North High School in St. Charles, Mis- choral activities for Granbury ISD. She
souri, where she conducts five ensembles. is serving TMEA as vocal chair for Region 30. Choirs
Oncken serves on the Missouri Choral under her direction consistently earn sweepstakes, first
Directors Association Executive Board as the St. Louis division, and best in class ratings at UIL and choral
metro district representative and as choral co-vice pres- festivals. The Granbury High School Varsity Choirs
ident for the St. Louis Metro District of Missouri MEA. have each earned distinctions in the Mark of Excel-
She obtained a BM from Lindenwood University in lence Project sponsored by The Foundation for Music
2016, where she was recipient of the Supero Asperum Education, and have each been named national final-
Award. Oncken is pursuing an MM with a concentra- ists in the high school division of the American Prize in
tion on music education from Missouri State University. Choral Performance. Fisher holds a BME from Dallas
She resides in Saint Charles, Missouri, with her daugh- Baptist University and is an active clinician, adjudica-
ter, Emma. tor, and accompanist.

CHORAL JOURNAL January 2026 Volume 66 Number 5 151