Singers excel in honors auditions

Six DMS singers recently passed through a highly competitive selection process to earn places on a statewide honor choir that will perform in Mahotomedi on May 5.

 

Fifth-graders Lauren Black, Clara Lawrence and Ryan Phillips, along with sixth-graders Sean Wissbroecker, Nicholas Antonicelli and Kiersten Koets, were among 150 students chosen out of 800 who auditioned for the choir.

 

Students were chosen on the beauty of their tone, ability to sing in tune and rhythmic accuracy.

 

“The honor choir process is a ‘blind’ audition – the judges don’t know the age or school from which students come, so it truly is a state-wide contest,” said DMS vocal instructor Sandy Meyerson. “The audition pieces and scales students are required to sing are challenging, and students selected for the choir must have a near-perfect audition to qualify.”

 

Aside from the basic enjoyment of music and singing, some of Delano’s honor representatives shared their favorite aspects of choir. Black said she enjoyed memorizing the music, while Lawrence said she loved performing and doesn’t feel nervous on stage. Phillips said he enjoys singing through songs for the first time and exploring new music.

 

“Our selected students from fifth and sixth grade have a tremendous work ethic and bring their best to every choir rehearsal,” said Meyerson. “They listen carefully, accept coaching and are great risk-takers to experiment with their voices. I’m very proud of the work that they do and excited for this opportunity for them.”