A Priceless Opportunity for Choral Students

Three Mount Vernon High School students have been chosen as delegates to perform in the All-State Chorus this spring, a selective group of the best student singers in the state.

Nine students originally auditioned for the All-State Chorus this winter, with three selected to move forward.

Those selected as delegates include the following juniors and seniors: Michael Amaral, Brianna Miller and Clynton Musngi. Rachel Fiscus was selected as an alternate, and will participate in the All-State Chorus should one of the top three delegates can not attend.

“This is a very select and prestigious group,” said MVHS Choral Director and Guitar Instructor Judi Belzer, noting that only 24 students are selected from Northern Virginia (District 10) as delegates each year. “Our kids have been working so hard, and we are extremely excited about this opportunity. It’s a really big deal and a credit to their abilities.”

In order to audition for the All-State Chorus, those interested in trying out have to first qualify as District 10 representatives, Belzer said.

“The music selections are initially posted each June,” said Belzer. “The students then start practicing and rehearsing during the summer months so they can be prepared once the school year starts.”

The students attend choral classes at school, but most have to spend a lot of their free time practicing and perfecting their voices in order to compete.

Once the students qualify as District 10 representatives, they move forward to the audition process.

Auditions are a grueling process that include extensive rehearsals for many months, memorization of different types of songs, and performing. The music type varies from spirituals to more difficult classical music, as well as some show tunes.

Belzer noted that the opportunity for these MVHS students to represent their school in the All-State Chorus is priceless.

For these students, music is not just a hobby, but also something they plan to continue in their lives following graduation and possibly make a career out of it.

“We have two senior students already accepted into vocal music programs in colleges starting next year,” Belzer said. “And, our junior, who has an excellent quality voice, is headed in the same direction. They are all extremely talented.”

The All State Chorus performances will be held in Virginia Beach this year, April 28-30, 2011.