Cambridge Students Perform at All State Reading Chorus

Three members of the Cambridge High School chorus recently performed with the Georgia Music Educators Association’s All State Reading Chorus.

Cate Boyle, Sarah Clements, and Marta Palombo were among 100 singers selected through a statewide audition process that evaluated their skills in sight-reading music.

The GMEA Reading Chorus is a unique performance ensemble and learning experience. Following the rigorous selection process, the singers spent two days sight reading choral music while being led by an experienced conductor. After sight reading over 70 compositions, a few were selected to be performed in a concert. The chorus even performed a piece that they received for the first time while on stage.

The Georgia Music Educators Association has over 2,700 members and is focused on promoting music education in the state of Georgia. GMEA sponsors regional honor ensembles and all-state events in order to provide young musicians with opportunities to learn from renowned instructors as members of high-level performance groups.

The guest conductor and teacher for this year’s Reading Chorus was Dr. Stanley L. Roberts, associate dean and professor of Choral Conducting from the Townsend School of Music of Mercer University.

At Mercer, he conducts the Mercer Singers and the Mercer Women’s Choir, while teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in conducting, choral literature and techniques. An experienced choral music educator, Dr. Roberts is a frequent guest conductor for honor choirs and chorus festivals in the United States, England and Europe.

Now in its third year, the Cambridge High School choral program, under the director of Dominique Petite, has enjoyed the success and honor of having students selected for the GMEA District V Honor Choir, Spivey Hall Honor at Clayton State University, GMEA All State Reading Chorus, GMEA All State Honor Choir and the American Choral Directors Association National Honor Choir.

Photo: Cambridge High School students stand with Dr. Roberts after their concert in Savannah. From left to right they are: Sarah Clements, Dr. Stanley L. Roberts, Marta Palombo, Cate Boyle. Credit: Cambridge High School.