By Crystal Hayduk
Four vocal music students will travel to Grand Rapids in January to perform with Honors Choirs during the 12th annual Michigan Music Conference (MMC) at DeVos Place.
Middle School
Eighth graders Sarah Kennings (soprano) and Rachel Bareis (alto) will sing with the Middle School SA Honors Choir on Jan. 19, the first evening of the conference.
Andrea Miller, middle school choir director, said that students memorized a duet for their audition in South Lyon on Oct. 22. Students commit to participate in three additional Saturday rehearsals throughout lower Michigan prior to the final rehearsal the day of the performance.
Since there are limits to the number of students who can try out from each school, Kennings said that students even had to audition at Beach to be permitted to audition in South Lyon.
“We practiced with Mrs. Miller twice a week after school to get ready for the big day,” she said. Ultimately, 125 students were chosen from the 240 who tried out for the SA choir.
Bareis said that each rehearsal takes up to nine hours. “But it seems to go fast because I have so much fun. Also, it’s a great way to make new friends.”
“Both Sarah and Rachel are extremely talented, dedicated, and hard workers,” said Miller. “Their work ethic and commitment, especially at this grade level, is admirable.”
High School
Seniors Samantha Dunlap (alto 2) and Skylar Kerr (soprano 1) were selected to sing in the SSAA Honors Choir, which closes the conference on Jan. 21.
Steve Hinz, Chelsea High School choir director, said, “Samantha and Skylar have been chasing after singing opportunities ever since I knew them in middle school choirs. They’ve always set themselves apart as great young musicians.”
Following what Hinz called a “rigorous, two-step audition process” last fall, Dunlap and Kerr “… will join the most advanced singers from around the state as part of the State Honors Choir program.”
In addition to singing an entire audition piece a cappella (without accompaniment), Kerr said that candidates were required to perform an unfamiliar song using solfège, a sight singing technique.
Both Dunlap and Kerr will bring a wealth of vocal experience to the MMC considering their age. Not only have they been singing in choir classes since fifth grade, but they have both been involved in musical theatre and have sung in Honors Choirs in previous years.
“It’s fun to be in a group where everyone has the same passion,” said Kerr. “These are the hardest working choir students from around the state.”
“There’s nothing like singing in a group,” said Dunlap. “People who have never worked together before come to one place to create something beautiful. Music is powerful beyond explanation. It’s like magic.”
Honors Choirs are made possible by the Michigan School Vocal Music Association. According to the MMC website, “The purpose of the Michigan Music Conference is to provide relevant professional development and vibrant musical experiences that support music education for educators and their students.”
About 9,000 people attended the 2016 conference.
