PMEA- Pennsylvania Music Educators Association annually comes together to host an event across 12 districts. This year 13 of Quakertown’s own excelling choral students had the opportunity to compete in District 11’s event.
To make it into District Choir students auditioned in house (at Quakertown) and were provided the opportunity to audition with hundreds of other students at Bensalem. Due to tough competition, some auditioners never make it past Bensalem; however, with knowledge of the logistics of PMEA, Quakertown students often work hard and reaudtion the next year.
The 13 who made it were top 20 singers in their sections ranging anywhere from 32 to about 60 people. Making it into district choir involves both an excellent understanding of the provided audition songs, decent sight singing skills and the ability to push through nerves. The 13 students who made it through are shown below:
After making it through the 12 singers plus one accompanist learned eight more pieces ranging from Mozart to modern day arrangements of an old French fight song. The 13 musicians had three objectives: to learn as much as they could during the festival, in turn putting on a wonderful performance, bring back excellent information and excitement to their school’s choirs and to have such an excellent grasp on their music they make it to regionals.
However, the snowy winter and busy schedules gave different ideas.
Cutting the time of practice and the festival shorter by a whole day, the students had to dig deep into their skills and work even harder than originally.
The festival still ensued despite the snowy weather headed by Dr. Ryan Kelly an assistant professor at West Chester University.
The students first job was to audition for regionals and then anxiously wait all day as they tore apart the songs as a group. Carefully inspecting each measure for good vowel shapes, intonation, rhythm, connection with the conductor and much more. Later the same night they received their results below:
Congratulations to all especially; Elena Ritter and Evie Moyer who received first chair—a significant accomplishment.
The next day, unlike the usual schedule of Districts, the morning concert went on. Parents of students from all over the greater Philadelphia area poured into Pottsgrove middle schools’ massive auditorium to watch the carefully crafted concert. Students final day together after bunking together and creating lifelong friendships, bonding over interesting notes and the united lack of sleep. All squished together on the same stage with an overflowing amount of passion for music. They sang together and the resonance rang throughout the auditorium. A beautiful solo Dorthy sang, a TTBB (Tenor 1 Tenor 2 Bass 1 Bass 2) song and an SSAA (Soprano 1 Soprano 2 Alto 1 Alto 2 song) and much more created the 2025 District 11 choir concert.
A standing ovation, Eagles fight song chant and bittersweet exchanges ended the concert. The singers are now at home to prepare for regionals or the next year of music in their life.
