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ABINGTONS – “Sing. Sing a song. Sing out loud. Sing out strong,” are the lyrics, which composer Joe Raposo wrote in his 1971 “Sing.” Abington Heights High School’s chorus, lead by choir director Susan Kelly, has been singing out loud and strong for months to make it to district chorus.
The Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District 9, , has competed for a spot in District Chorus. Abington Heights High School has a long tradition with PMEA. Choir students of this school had to learn to sing one song a cappella for audition at Lackawanna Trail High School in October.
The song Abington chose was Schutz’ “Sing to the Lord a New Song.” There are eight different voice parts. The top 20 students on each voice part were selected by the teachers to move up to District Chorus.
One hundred- sixty students in all have made it to this level. The Abington Heights students included are: sopranos 1 Megan Cahill and Melissa Raub (both in 11th grade); soprano 2 Caroline Andrews (10th grade); altos 1 Nolan Sweet and Colleen Kuzma (12th grade); altos 2 Victoria Tielebein (12th grade) and Allie Gee (10th grade); tenors 2 David Cochrane (11th grade) and Mitch Burke (12th grade); bass 1 Greg Henkelman (12th grade); and bass 2 Cole McDonnell (10th grade).
The competition for District Chorus was in the Choral Festival held at Greater Nanticoke Area High School from January 14 to 16. For this, students had to rehearse 12 songs. In the audition, each student had to sing two of the 12, not knowing which two.
“Being able to go to district chorus gives me the great opportunity to perform with talented high-school singers from all over the area, which allows us to make new friends with similar interests,” said Colleen Kuzma, alto 1.
The top 10 students from each school move on to the Region IV Choral Festival this February at Mount Carmel High School.
“I am honored to be chosen to attend District Chorus for the second year in a row,” said Nolan Sweet, alto 1. After the auditions, students rehearsed Thursday and Friday for a public concert at the Greater Nanticoke Area High School on Friday, Jan. 16 at 7 p.m.
If the Abington Heights High School Chorus makes regionals, it will move up to the final round called All-State Chorus at Valley Forge, which will be held in April. For now, the group is happy to have made it to district chorus.
Susan Kelly, choir director, has been working with them to vie for Region IV Chorus. “I’m glad the students have this opportunity to make good music and to meet people from other schools with the same musical interest,” said Kelly.