After just two consecutive weekends of rehearsals, 20 Scotch Plains-Fanwood students helped create a powerful performance at Monroe Township High School with the Central Jersey Music Educators Association Region II Honors Choruses.
These Region II ensembles are comprised of a diverse mix of high school students from Hunterdon, Monmouth, Mercer, Somerset, Middlesex and Union counties. There are two choruses, the Mixed Chorus (co-ed ensemble) and the Treble Chorus (all female ensemble). In addition to such a large number of SPF students being accepted into the ensembles, nine of these students were given top ten rankings in their sections, with seniors Josh Venick and Peter Canevari taking first and second for the Bass II section.
SPF students participate in the ensembles for a multitude of reasons and gain a variety of skills from the experience.
“I really like stepping outside of my comfort zone,” said junior Kyiani Womack. “I like the challenge that comes along with it.”
For senior Audrey Smith, the rewarding opportunities for chorus participants is an incentive.
“I wanted to be in the ensemble for all four years of high school,” Smith said. “They offer four year members a scholarship.”
Students spent multiple 4 hour rehearsal days learning the concert repertoire. Among the selections from both choruses some favorites included Mass No. 6 “Gloria” by Gyorgi Orban and “He’ll Make A Way” by Byron J. Smith.
Though it may be a tough process from auditions to perfecting the music, students agree that the activity is wholly rewarding in the end.
“It’s so worth it,” Womack said. “Whether you are accepted or not, it’s a good learning process and helps you better prepare for other auditions.”
 
2018-2019 Region II Chorus participants from the Treble Chorus: Lauren Barth, Amelia Collins, Justyanna Fortna, Vanessa Handy (#8 of the Alto 1 section), Rachel Schuman, Kyiani Womack
Mixed Chorus: Peter Canevari (#2 in the Bass 2 section), Rachella Carlino (#3 in the Alto 1 section), John DeMarco (#10 in the Bass 2 section), Robert Dobies, Natalie Green, Emma Guan, Katie Lamendola, Shannon McCreesh, Roy McGowan (#5 in the Tenor 1 section), Tori O’Connor, Aditya Phatak (#8 in the Tenor 1 section), Allan Romero (#8 in the Bass 2 section), Audrey Smith (#3 of the Soprano 1 section), Joshua Venick (#1 in the Bass 2 section)