Sophomores Julia Beauchamp and Linda Pan have been selected to represent Darlington at the Georgia Music Educator's Association (GMEA) All-State Chorus.
Beauchamp and Pan will join other top musicians from across the state for two days of rehearsals led by highly-acclaimed choral directors from around the country. Beauchamp was chosen for the Senior Treble Chorus, led by Dr. Deanna Joseph, professor of music and director of choral activities at Georgia State University School of Music. Pan was chosen for the Intermediate Mixed Chorus, conducted by Dr. Amanda Quist, director of choral activities for the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami.
To be selected for All-State Chorus, students go through an intensive two-part audition process. For the first audition, students prepare a solo, typically an Italian aria, and sight-read three pieces of music at varying levels of difficulty. If students pass the first audition, they learn five to six pieces of music in their entirety and are asked to sing portions of their music at random for the second audition. At each stage of the audition process, students are judged for tone quality, pitch accuracy, rhythm and more. If students pass the second round of auditions, they are selected to participate in All-State Chorus.
"Both Linda and Julia came to me for almost every day during office hours and iPeriod leading up to their auditions to work on their solos and sight reading practice. It is not an easy process," said Alex Johnson, choral director. "This experience is earned by hard work and dedication, and it is the experience of a lifetime in the world of choral music lovers. They get to meet new people, experience new choral pieces and sing in a choir of 100+ people, which is an experience like no other."
Beauchamp and Pan will participate in GMEA All-State Chorus in Athens, Ga. from Feb. 16-18.
