The singers filed into the empty gym in silence. The boys looked clean-cut and professional in their tuxedos, and the girls were uniform and elegant in their identical, floor-length, black dresses. As the singers silently filled the risers in the center of the gym, three judges stared at them, all with a device to record their thoughts of the performance.

The parents, siblings and friends in the audience held their breath as the singers entered, afraid to clap for fear of disqualifying the choir from the competition. An announcer introduced Camerata, the Columbus Academy co-ed choir, and suddenly the silent singers on the risers filled the empty gym with music. Music that sent chills up my arms. Music that sounded as if it came from one voice. 

Both the Columbus Academy band and choir competed in the District Competition, an event for which the groups have been preparing for many weeks. Camera competed on Friday, March 3, and the Concert Band competed on Saturday, March 4.

Every parent, sibling and friend in the audience held their breath as the singers entered, afraid to clap for fear of disqualifying the choir from the competition. An announcer introduced Camerata, the Columbus Academy co-ed choir, and suddenly the silent singers on the risers filled the empty gym with music. Music that sent chills up my arms. Music that sounded as if it came from one voice.

Both the Columbus Academy band and choir competed in the District Competition, an event for which the groups have been preparing for many weeks. Camerata, the school’s co-ed choir, competed on Friday, March 3rd, and the Concert Band competed on Saturday, March 4th.

After a performance in front of three judges and an audience, followed by a judged sight-reading exercise in a private room, the groups received their ratings. The rating is on a five-point scale: five is the lowest, one a “superior.”

Camerata received a one and will advanced to states!

Concert Band received a two, and although they will not advance, the judges praised the group for its fine musicality.

States for Camerata is, unfortunately, the same weekend as the Spring Musical, so it is unclear if the choir will attend. the competition. Regardless, to even qualify for the competition reflects the  singers’ talent, under director Ms. Brooks and accompanist Ms. Kristoff.

Congratulations to all whom performed at OMEA – 2017!