Senior Christian Eddington earned a place in the All-State Choir for the second year in a row.

Senior Christian Eddington earned a spot on the Texas All-State Choir for the second year in a row as a Tenor 1.

Over 70,000 students competed for the honor while only 2.5% were selected, making the All-State Choir the highest achievement a high school student can receive in choir UIL.

“Through this process, I have found that hard work plus talent really pays off,” Christian said. “Less people made it to the All-State Choir this year and it’s so competitive because there is much talent across Texas.”

When Christian’s parents learned that he had made All-State Choir for the second year in a row, they reflected on how he has achieved so much over the last four years.

“Earning that spot made us proud because we know the type of hard work, dedication, persistence, and commitment that it has taken for him to get to this level,” Rebecca Eddington said. “He’s always loved music and singing so getting to witness his gifts and talents come to fruition is unexplainable. It’s hard to find the right word. We just know that we are extremely blessed.”

Choir director Alex Medlock has worked with Christian over the last four years and has seen him develop and grow as a musician.

“The thing that makes Christian such a unique student is that he’s teachable,” Medlock said. “He listens and is open to critiques which helps him stand out from others who frequently get too comfortable or overconfident in their abilities.”

Christian appreciates the feedback his choir directors provide and understands that many singers can succumb to too much praise which can hinder their development overall.”

“It’s important for singers to listen to critiques and opinions about how they are doing,” Christian said. “I want to always be humble and be the best version of myself that I can be. The best way to do that is to know that the teacher knows best – always.”

Christian’s mother said that his humility and character have allowed doors to open for him and have brought favor to his life.

“It’s very important to his father and me that Christian remains humble in his abilities because we understand that pride always come before the fall,” Rebecca Eddington said. “We have often told him that if he exalts himself that he shall be humbled, but if he humbles himself, that he shall be exalted, and that is what has kept him the way that he is.”

Christian works to hone his craft daily even though he was born with perfect pitch, which allows him to pull any pitch instantly out of the air.

“Since Christian has perfect pitch, the music is just kind of in him,” Medlock said. “Perfect pitch is a very musical talent, but he understands that he can’t just rely on his giftings because success also requires hard work.”

Music has been a key factor in Christian’s life since early childhood, but he did not seek the limelight.

“I’ve always loved singing since I was very little,” Christian said. “After I started working with Medlock and Gibson, they taught me more about the performing piece and getting out of my comfort zone.”

Both of Christian’s choir directors saw his potential from the beginning and embraced the task of making sure he saw the same.

“We may or may not have forced Christian to audition for The Little Mermaid his freshman year,” Medlock said. “We could already tell that he was super talented, but we also knew he was super shy and in his shell. Trying out for and receiving the lead for the musical is a big deal, especially for a freshman.”

Christian plans to continue his musical education at the University of North Texas where he will pursue a music education degree to become a middle school music teacher.

“Middle school is where good singers set their foundation,” Christian said. “I want to really work with kids on vocal techniques and help improve their quality of musical performance from the beginning.”

Music has allowed Christian a refuge no matter the circumstances of life.

“Music has always been a mental and emotional outlet for me,” Christian said. “When I’m sad, happy, or really experiencing any emotion, I can turn to music in that moment and appreciate it as an art to help me feel something.”

Christian’s parents are thankful for the God-given-talent he has and recognize the impact listening to him sing has on them.

“When we hear Christian sing, it brings us great joy,” Rebecca Eddington said. “His voice is so therapeutic and tranquil that it gives us a sense of calmness as well as peace. Whatever I find myself going through or dealing with at the moment he starts singing, it’s like God is sending me a confirmation or assurance that everything is going to be alright.”