The time has come for All County Choir auditions, a choir composed of some of the best singers in the county.  “The audition pieces were short selections from the All-State repertoire for this year. The first was a piece by Brahams, “O Schone Nacht” and the second was a piece by Moore “Daniel Daniel Servant of the Lord, according to choir teacher Ms. Katelyn Hemling.

     On the day of the audition, “The students came to Bel Air High School one evening and went before a panel of two adjudicators.” Additionally, she added, “The adjudicators are the HCPS high school vocal music teachers. The students sing both songs, and then complete both rhythmic and melodic sight reading.” Furthermore, “The judges are looking for a variety of technical and musical capabilities in the students,” said Hemling. 

     Each year, the size of the choir varies. “There is not an exact number each year, I believe the group is about 75 students this year. We have nine NHHS students who were accepted this year: [Juniors] Isabella Matson and Mack Carter, [senior] Mickayla Friedel, [senior] Kira-Victoria Holt, [sophomore] Payten Ivy, [senior] Kalyna Lloyd, [senior] Emily Watt, [senior] Caine Blosser, and [senior] Corbin Peacock,” said Hemling.

      According to Hemling, “There are only three rehearsals before the big show! Students meet one time with the teachers for a sectional, one time with the conductor, and then spend one entire school day rehearsing with the conductor the day before the concert.” Additionally, “On the day of the concert they meet one final time for a run through and then it is show time,” explains Hemling.  The day all the members of the choir are looking forward to is Jan. 20 at 5:30pm at Havre de Grace Middle/High School.

     “Something that is really cool about All-County is that the students represent their schools by wearing choir robes that are school colored! Ours are green, hence the ‘sea of green.’” Hemling adds,“I am endlessly proud of all of my students who auditioned! I hope that they take in every second of the experience. Use it to advance their musical skills, practice hard, meet new people and have the best time!”

      Students have another opportunity after they audition for All-County. As long as they audition for All-County, students can audition for All-State choir, which is the level above all-county choir. The Nest had five students accepted into All-State Choir: Friedel, Ivy, junior Amelia Joyner, Lloyd, and Holt.

     “I was in shock since I did not expect to make it. I jumped up and yelled, “I made it into All-State!” I texted all my friends and called my family so they could know and celebrate with me,” said Ivy. Some of the things Ivy is looking forward to is singing with all the best singers in the state. 

     “I am excited to work with a new director who is chosen to work and teach very experienced singers,” but the sophomore isn’t looking forward to, “the amount of time we have to learn our balance as a choir, as we only have two whole days with everyone. I am also not looking forward to the amount of pressure on me, since this is a very high honor choir,” said Ivy.