On Oct. 20, a group of students ventured to Williamsport High School to audition for PMEA District 8 Choir. Out of the handful that auditioned, six qualified and are participating in the festival held in February.
The qualified students include: seniors Addison Confer (Tenor 2), Andrew Ware (Bass 1), Hunter Hepler (Tenor 2), and Naomi Alexander (Alto 1), and juniors Ali Ravert (Soprano 1), and Savanna Farley (Alto 2).
All students had to prepare a choral arrangement of Haydn’s “The Heavens Are Telling” and audition on a randomly selected excerpt in front of a trio of judges.
When asked how they felt before auditioning, every student said they were “nervous.”

“I was feeling a little at ease because I knew how the audition process worked, but I was stressed about my music and what the competition would be like,” said Confer, regarding his emotions prior to auditioning.
Additionally, most students left their audition rooms with a negative mindset, as most said they felt “scared,” “upset,” or “dissatisfied” about their performance in the audition.
“I was relieved that it was over, and kind of unhappy with myself. I didn’t really think that I did I well as I could have because I was nervous but it all turned out okay!” said Farley when she was asked how she was feeling after auditioning.
The level of preparation for the audition piece varied tremendously among each student.
Some practiced for many hours whereas others waited until the last minute.
Ware said he “Rehearsed the music vigorously” and Farley said she practiced until she “Felt like she knew it forwards and backwards.”
Sophomore Kristen Dinges, as well as Ravert, both stated that they practiced for around five hours and sought help from a voice teacher.
Some students admitted that they only practiced for an hour or two, or started rehearsing just a few days before auditions.
Although he felt adequately prepared, Confer said that he “Regrets not looking at the piece sooner.”
Underperformance was common among the students because of their nerves. Many could recall flaws in their singing that corresponded directly to the effects of being nervous.
Fortunately for each student that auditions, the judges usually try to accommodate for nerves and are a little more lenient on scoring because of that.
Four out of the six District-bound students already have experience participating in PMEA festivals.
Confer, who has participated many times before, said, “I feel excited for the new members who made it in and for the people I get to see again! However, I do feel a little disappointed that I did not place as well as I would have liked to.”

Ravert also feels the same way, as she said, “I was unhappy with my placement, but I am very grateful just to be going and making music with my friends. I set a goal for myself to work extremely hard to advance my ranking in order to hopefully make Regions.”
The students are planning to meet at Confer’s grandmother’s church every once in a while to rehearse the District Choir music in order to feel as prepared as possible for the festival as well as regional auditions.
Despite some disappointment or nerves surrounding auditions, there is an overall feeling of excitement regarding this year’s PMEA festivals.
“I really enjoy the collective feeling of voices. It’s just a lot of fun to sing with a LARGE group of students that have worked hard to prepare those songs,” said Ware when he was asked what he was most excited about regarding District Choir.
“I’m excited to do it with my friends! I’m hoping that we will all get to know each other a little better by doing this together,” said Farley. “You never know what music can do!”
Featured Photo (at top): These students, senior Andrew Ware, Addison Confer, Hunter Hepler, junior Savanna Farley, and seniors Naomi Alexander and Alice Ravert, are moving on to the District Choir festival in February. They auditioned and placed at or above 22nd out of many others. Photo by Lillian McCulloch
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