BASH Choir Students Advanced to Regional Choir

by Jeffrey  K. Brunner *

Recently three Boyertown Area Senior High (BASH) seniors traveled to Messiah University to participate in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) Region V Chorus festival. Ava Puleo, Emily Wambold, and Rosalie Camper spent two days under the direction of Dr. Rachel Cornacchio, learning and performing choral repertoire. They were joined by 200 singers from across the south central and eastern parts of the state, all representing the best of their high schools.

While at the festival, students had an opportunity to re-audition for seating placements at the regional concert performance, thereby demonstrating to a panel of judges that they had prepared the repertoire they had been given in advance. 

Rosalie Camper ranked 6th of 25 in the Alto 1 section. This secured her a spot to advance to the PMEA All- State Chorus. She will be traveling to Erie, Pennsylvania to be a member of this elite chorus from April 17-20. She will be joining over 200 of the best singers in the state, working under the baton of Dr. Christopher Jackson, the conductor of the Bach Choir of Bethlehem.

According to the PMEA Website, "The Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) is a statewide nonprofit organization of over 3,700 members, dedicated to promoting the musical development of all Pennsylvanians. The present membership evolved from a small group of band directors dating from 1933. Today, the organization includes those engaged in music instruction at all levels, from preschool through college and university, as well as those in the music industry, merchandising and publishing. The organization promotes and supports quality music education, learning and performance as well as promoting and supporting music education in schools and communities. PMEA is affiliated with The National Association for Music Education (NAfME)." 

* Jeffrey K. Brunner is a 2001 graduate of Boyertown Area Senior High (BASH) and has earned degrees from Mansfield University and Teacher's College at Columbia University. He is the director of BASH choirs. 

Parts of this article are reprinted from "Let's Talk Tuesdays," a Boyertown Area School District digital newsletter.

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