Kyler Wins Chorale Scholarship

2021 Ponca City High School graduate Mallory Kyler was surprised during the Po-Hi Chorale end of year banquet at the Ponca City Schools Concert Hall on Sunday, May 16th, to learn she is this year’s recipient of the Robert E. Moore Tradition of Excellence Scholarship. The award is given annually to an eligible graduating senior member of the Ponca City High School Chorale. Mallory has proudly worn the red jacket as a member of the Chorale for all four of her high school years where she has also lettered. She states that when looking back on her years in high school, “most of my fondest memories come from being a member of the Po-Hi Chorale.” She credits Chorale director Chad Keilman with educating her on blending vocally as a group, sight-reading, and music theory terms.

Mallory is the daughter of Paul and Molly Kyler of Ponca City and plans to attend Northern Oklahoma College this fall as a full-time student majoring in Musical Theatre. She has been an active member of Evans Children’s Academy of Performing Arts for the last three years. Mallory was recently seen in her first Ponca Playhouse production of The Sound of Music. She has been a voice student for many years under both Leslie Rardin and Edward Dixon, being decorated in her solo, duet and ensemble singing at the Ponca City Federated Music Club Music Festival and Oklahoma Secondary School Athletic Association district contest.

This is the second consecutive year for this award established in honor of Robert E. Moore, Director of Choral Music for Ponca City Schools from 1966 to 1996. Mr. Moore formed the Chorale in his first year of teaching at Ponca City High School and for the next three decades led the Chorale to consistently win the highest honors at regional competitions, bringing pride to the Ponca City community and its students. He was the first person inducted into the Oklahoma Music Educators Association Hall of Fame while still an active educator and is revered by his former students for inspiring them to achieve their full potential. This scholarship honors his legacy.

The Robert E. Moore Tradition of Excellence Scholarship is a one-time $1500 award made possible through donations, fundraisers, and concerts performed by the Ponca City High School Alumni Chorale in honor of Mr. Moore. The recipient is selected based on the entirety of the student’s application by considering academic achievement, selected major, future career plans, personal character, and thoughts expressed in a required essay.

PICTURED BELOW:  Po-Hi Chorale Alumni Boyd Braden presents the Robert E. Moore Tradition of Excellence Scholarship award to 2021 Po-Hi graduate Mallory Kyler as Chorale Director Chad Keilman (left) and award namesake Robert E. Moore (right) look on.