Showstopping Sound!
From bold ideas to standing ovations, IGKNIGHT, EMS ISD’s first show choir, proves how educator vision and student dedication elevate fine arts across the school district.
The music swells, the lights rise, and the stage bursts alive with rhythm, color and choreography. Voices blend with movement in a performance unlike anything Eagle Mountain High School (EMHS) has seen before. This is IGKNIGHT, Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD’s first competitive show choir, a bold new program that brings together powerful singing, dynamic dancing, and student-driven energy.
The vision began with EMHS Choir Director Scott Tilley, who dreamed of bringing the excitement of show choir to the district.
“Show choir is such an exciting art form,” Tilley said. “It combines high-level
singing with energetic dancing. Beyond performance, it brings students
together and promotes leadership. I knew this was something our community would support.”
District Fine Arts Director Carla Hardy saw the same spark.
“When Mr. Tilley came in with this vision, we aligned with it immediately,” she said. “This is about giving kids an opportunity outside the box, to find success, camaraderie and joy in something they may have never tried before. It is another example of how our fine arts educators elevate students and programs.”
For the students of IGKNIGHT, the experience has been transformative.
Sophomore Addelyn Lund said, “I’ve learned that without teamwork, you have nothing. Everyone has to give the same effort, and when we all put in the work, we look and sound even better.”
Freshman Naomi Jester agreed, adding, “No matter how rough my day has been, I can always count on IGKNIGHT to cheer me up. It truly feels like a family.”
Senior Jessica Carrillo reflected on the honor of being part of history.
“Being in the very first show choir in the district is not only exciting but also an honor. From the start I’ve felt seen, welcomed and wanted. We’re building something special together.”
That sense of history-making is not lost on the group. Each rehearsal, each performance, and each spirited “Training Tuesday” and “Full Out Friday” is laying the foundation for future generations.
As Hardy explained, “Their job is to tell stories through music, movement and energy, and they are doing it at a level that inspires pride across the district.”
With IGKNIGHT, EMS ISD Fine Arts has once again shown the unique talent and vision of its educators. By opening new doors and pushing boundaries, they are giving students opportunities to shine on stage and in life. For EMHS, this is only the beginning, but for the district, it is one more example of public education at its finest.
