Daniel Boone High School hosted the 2014 District 10 Chorus Festival from Jan. 9 to 11. District Chorus is an annual festival that celebrates music in local schools and recognizes the best music students. The students participating auditioned and out of all of the wonderful auditions only the best made it. There were approximately 200 hundred students participating in the festival. The festival is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association.
The students arrived in Daniel Boone Thursday morning where they checked in and met with the other musicians. The auditorium of Daniel Boone High school was packed with students and buzzing with excitement. This year’s theme was Hollywood and there were beautiful decorations everywhere. Hollywood Walk of Fame stars covered the walls with the participating schools’ names. Little stars hung from the ceiling with the students’ names on them — it was beautiful.
As Thursday rolled on the guest conductor, Dr. Jonathan Reed of Michigan State University. He has conducted state choirs throughout the United States. The festival was hosted by the Choir Director at Daniel Boone High School, Mrs. Erin Benn. She was especially excited to work with Dr. Reed because she attended Michigan State where he was her choir director.
Thursday evening the participants auditioned for regional choir which is the next level choir before states. The best of the singers from Districts go on to Regionals, so all participants auditioned again.
The participants were feed afterwards and continued reversal. Participants from distant school districts were housed by Daniel Boone families involved in the music program. Friday morning the choir reported back to the high school where they continued rehearsing for their concert that evening. Everyone seemed to be anticipating the night when they would get to perform.
The concert began at 7 p.m. Friday evening and the choir took to the stage. The students who had never sang together before and had only rehearsed together for two days sounded like a choir that had been working together for years.
Friday evening the students had a social dance in Daniel Boone’s cafeteria. At the dance, there was pizza and the students enjoyed meeting new friends who share the same passion for music. After the dance ended at 10 p.m. the students went home with their host families for the last night.
Saturday they reported back to the high school and finished their last rehearsal. The second and final concert was Saturday afternoon. The final concert went wonderfully. The students all said there goodbyes and headed home with their families.
The festival ended but the memories made there will last a lifetime. The weekend was very successful thanks to all of the work put in to it by so many people. Music was made by such talented students from so many different high schools.
‘I believe you will be truly amazed by the high level of musicianship demonstrated by these students,’ Erin Benn, host director, said. ‘Their work during this festival is a reflection of their own dedication and talent, their school music programs, their directors, and their parents who have provided continuing support and encouragement.’
Four of Daniel Boone’s own students were in the choir; Jamie Menarde, Sophie Gialloreto, Rachel Breidigan, and Jordan Koury, with instrumentals by Paul Lerario and Tyler Samsel. Each enjoyed the festival.
‘My favorite part of the festival was being surrounded by all of the amazing singers and getting to know everyone,’ Rachel Breidigan said.
Under director Amanda Delbo students Katie Spencer, Allison Geringer, Jonathan Bingaman, and James Damore represented Exeter Township High School, with instrumentals by Noah Brenemen. From Berks Catholic Director Bryan R. Scollic, and students Gregory Boyer, Aidan Giles, and Jeremy Earnest participated. From Governor Mifflin School District, under direction of Keith Abrahamson, students Megan Grant, Suhana Jagadesan, Casey Snyder, Johanna Swoyer, Vrushab Doshi, RJ Voit, Paul Bates, Austin Mytych, Kerneau Seok, Drew Snyder, Daniel Bright and Maxwell Zeuner were present in the 2014 District 10 Chorus Festival.
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