Duff takes over SISD choir program

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Snyder High School has appointed Cody Duff as its new director of choirs.

Duff holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary choral music education from Eastern New Mexico University, a master’s in music education from Boston University and a master’s in curriculum and instruction from Western Governors University.

Duff is originally from Lubbock, but left to pursue his education and has spent the last nine years teaching in Nashville.

“Moving back was essentially just to be closer to some of my family members and just to be back in Texas,” he said.

Duff said he is looking forward to the start of the school year and has plans to restore the Snyder High School choir program to its former glory.

“The last time that this choir received a division 1 score was in 2013. So it’s been seven years since the choir has received any type of award as a group, and that’s something that I would really like to bring back,” he said. “When I was in high school, Snyder was the school that we watched for. We were in the same division, and they were always our competition. My goal is to bring it back to where it once was while still keeping the majority of the traditions that the program has had over the years.”

He also hopes to see the program grow. Duff said there are currently 80 students signed up to take choir this school year, but he would like to see that number double for a school of Snyder’s size.

“Any students that are interested can contact a counselor, and they’ll get them taken care of,” he said.

Although auditions have not yet been held for all the choirs, Duff plans to begin rehearsals for a fall or Christmas concert and the All-State choir competition in October soon, pending guidance.

“The entire Performing Arts Department at Snyder has been working closely together to stay up-to-date with all the recommendations,” Duff said. “There is a study coming from Colorado that will provide us with more guidance, but we want to provide a positive experience for our students.”