ABILENE, Texas — Reece Kingcade has been selected as the new choral director at Cooper High School, succeeding Cara Naizer, who is retiring at the end of the 2021-22 school year.
According to an Abilene Independent School District press release, Kingcade is currently in his fourth year as the associate choir director at Canyon High School. His duties at Canyon include serving as the teacher of record for two of the school’s choirs and assisting director Brandon Farren with preparation for all choirs in the program. In addition to his work at Canyon High School, Kingcade currently serves as the music minister at First Baptist Church Tulia.
Prior to serving at Canyon High School, Kingcade was the choral director at Bushland High School during the 2017-18 school year.
“Mr. Kingcade has a proven track record of working with all types of students ranging from beginners to advanced singers,” said Jay Lester, Abilene ISD Executive Director of Fine Arts. “We look forward to watching him continue Cooper Choir traditions while making the program his own. Reece will begin work later this summer, but we hope to have him in Abilene to meet the choir students later this semester.”
Kingcade graduated from Oklahoma Christian University in 2015, with a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Music Education and then went on to graduate from West Texas A&M University in August 2017 with a Master of Music in Choral Conducting. During his two years at WT, he served as the choral graduate assistant. He is scheduled to earn a Master of Arts in Education Leadership this December.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to continue the storied tradition of the Cooper Choir program,” Kingcade said. “The program has such a history of excellence and I consider myself so fortunate to work to uphold Mrs. Naizer’s incredible legacy. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for the Cooper Choir!”
