“Hallelujah!” The PMEA District 5 Choir Festival was a rousing success . . .
Seniors Lindsay Malloy, Gwen Jones, Conner Johnson, Bethany Bonnar, Mackenzie Longo, Seth Smallwood; juniors Cali Meyer, Brandon Kanell, Stella Begnal, Liana Kerr, Sarah Gido, Ethan Kopicko, Sarah Mateer; and sophomore Breanna Trainor participated in the PMEA District 5 Choir Festival February 9.
“It was such a great experience to sing with such a talented group of people and under a fantastic conductor—definitely one my my favorite performances ever!” said Bonnar.
“District Choir is one of the most influential and fun musical experiences I have ever had the opportunity to experience,” added Gido.
The festival was hosted at Beaver Area High School, and was guest conducted by Beaver Area High School alum Braden Pontoli, who now attends the California Institute of the Arts outside of Los Angeles.
“I thought the festival ran as smoothly as I could have wanted. There was much to organize but everything went so well. The conductor was awesome, and the students were talented and well behaved. I was extremely proud to host as our facility is excellent,” said Mrs. Susan Metelsky, the choir director at Beaver Area High School.
In all, 173 students from 42 different schools participated in the festival.
The pieces that were performed at the festival included Hallelujah (Beethoven), Ubi Caritas, Hallelujah (Cohen), Skin, Noel, Let Me Fly, and Spells of Herrick.
“It was a really unique experience. It gave me an opportunity to meet lots of different people and make music with them,” said Jones.
Congratulations to all of the students who represented Beaver Area High School at the festival, and congratulations to Kanell and Begnal who qualified by audition to advance to the Region Choir festival which will be held in March.