Some students might take a music elective as a free class for an easy grade. But not Manny Garcia.

Garcia took his passion for singing to the next level as he prepared for a three-day honors choral festival.

PMEA District Honors Chorus is an elite group of students who prepare a solo vocal audition, wishing to place higher than their peers, and advance through the various honors programs.

From October 26–28, Garcia, along with the other students at the festival, worked with guest conductor Lorraine Milovac at Westminster College.

As a result of his auditions earlier in October, Garcia earned the position of seventh chair.

The auditions were sent to students about a month before the festival, designed to determine who gets in and who was on the chopping block. Students like Garcia learned the audition music with the help of online recordings, practicing with their directors in preparation for the auditions.

The soloists were taken into a room by themselves, demonstrated their skills by a panel of judges, and returned to the festival to await their decision.

Garcia’s audition paid off, landing him the seventh seat in his section.

This isn’t Garcia’s first rodeo—now a sophomore, he has been participating in Honor’s festivals since middle school.

Reflecting on the overall experience, Garcia stated, “It was a lot of fun! I met lots of new people.”

His advice for students who plan to participate in the years to follow: practice early on, and don’t do it the night before.

Garcia has a busy schedule in the months to follow as he is one of the leads in the 2024 musical production, Cinderella, where he will play Prince Topher.

Check back to the ECHO next edition when the band takes their turn at the honors audition!