By: Natalee Wolfe
As the winter months roll around, PMEA (Pennsylvania Music Educators Association)
continues their tradition of district competitions for Choir, Jazz, Acapella, Orchestra, and
Band, and last week was District Choir. Many Juniata students attended including, Alivia
Foltz, Brody Noerr, Jacee Price, Julia Martin, Kade Wagner, Marissa Erhard, Shylynn
Hile, and Yaa Serwaa. I interviewed Senior Marissa Erhard and Sophomore Brody Noerr
to talk about their experiences.
District Choir begins by performing in front of your Choir director. I asked both students how they felt about the initial audition and the emotions they went through after knowing they got in. Both Erhard and Noerr believed that their first auditions did not fully reach their full expectations going in. Noerr was very shocked that he got in, while Erhard was confident she earned her spot with her audition even though she wasn’t as confident in her performance.
As an overview of the experience there, they both responded that it is chaotic and stressful, but for the most part a fun experience to sing in a group of strangers you bond with, especially after the second auditions that take place at the event.
Going into her second audition, Erhard felt nervous up until song selection. She was very happy with her placement of 5th chair, unlike Noerr. When I asked him about how he felt he said, “ Bad bad bad. Very nervous -- 17 out 18” which I think sums up his experience. Next I asked about the conductor and Erhard responded, “I personally really liked Dr. Aragunde and the way she taught the music. She was very entertaining yet also knowledgeable about the music. I’ve worked with several other directors before and I think she was one of the best”. I feel like the conductor makes the experience, and as a district band participant, so I’m glad they got someone great. I continued by inquiring which was their favorite song, in which both replied the “Prayer of the Children”.
I questioned about that final moment performing on stage with everyone and I’d like to share both responses, Noerr simply stated, “ I loved it and I’m proud of my hard work” and Erhard affirmed that with, “I feel like the final performance was very good and I heard some great reviews from people in the audience. I think it was very high energy and serious when it needed to be, and it was definitely emotional for “Prayer of the Children” which ended the concert”. Our school would also like to congratulate Erhard and Foltz for their acceptance into Regional Chorus.
Finally, I ended the interview with what they gained from the experience, and Erhard answer was, “This being my last district choir, I’ve learned so much from my experience at district festivals over the years and I wouldn’t be the singer I am today without the experiences I’ve had through them. From this festival, I learned the importance of music and these events for everyone who experiences them whether it’s going to them or just attending the concert.” It seems to me that district choir is a one of a kind experience and I’m glad I got to talk to these two about it.