Eight selected for PMEA honors choir
Eight members of the Upper St. Clair High School choral program have been selected to participate in the 2016 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District 1 Honors Choir Festival. The following students will represent Upper St. Clair:
- Seniors: Mackenzie Damon, alto 1; Devon Garcia, alto 2; Patrick Glover, tenor 2
- Juniors: Jonah Glunt and Josiah Ackerman, tenor 1; Grant Warmbein, tenor 2; Andrew Rauber and Jack Smith, bass 2
The choir festival, comprised of 150 students and 40 high school choral directors, is set for Oct. 28-29 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Upper St. Clair. The event will conclude with a public concert at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29 in the sanctuary. Tickets to the concert are $5 and can be purchased at the door.
The Honors Choir festival is divided into separate men’s and women’s ensembles, each with its own guest conductor. The ensembles rehearse separately, and combine to share the concert and two pieces on the program.
Dr. Sean Taylor, director of choral studies at the University of Texas at Brownsville, will lead the men’s choir; and Dr. Julia Brasher Thorn, director of choral activities at Susquehanna University, will guest conduct the women’s choir. Upper St. Clair High School Choral Director Lorraine Milovac is co-hosting this year’s festival with North Hills High School Director Shaun Cloonan.
PMEA District 1 includes school districts from Allegheny, Fayette, Green, Washington and Westmorland counties. PMEA is a statewide nonprofit organization of more than 4,500 members, dedicated to promoting the musical development of all Pennsylvanians. The organization promotes and supports quality music education, learning and performance as well as promoting and supporting music education in schools and communities. PMEA is affiliated with The National Association for Music Education.