Tyrone junior bass vocalist Jay Isenberg qualified for Regional Chorus for the first time in his high school career. Selections for Regionals were made at the District Chorus Festival on January 11-13 at Portage Area High School.

This year Regionals will be held on February 23, 24, and 25 at Clearfield Area High School.

Last year Isenberg missed the cutoff for Regionals by just one spot, so qualifying this year was especially satisfying.

“I went my sophomore year [but] I was on the bad side of the cutoff for Regionals. They take the top twelve and I placed thirteenth. But this year, I made it,” said Isenberg.

Isenberg said that he has been involved in the Tyrone music program since fifth grade, but it wasn’t until seventh grade that he started to become serious about singing and performing.

“Something just clicked and I never looked back,” said Isenberg.

In addition to chorus and POPS, Isenberg has been active in musical theatre productions at TAHS. Last year he played the role of Snoopy in the TAHS production of You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown.

Chorus students must audition for the PMEA choral festivals. The first round was held in October and eight Tyrone students were selected to participate in the District Chorus festival in January.

The other members who performed at districts were Rose McKernan soprano II, Rebekah Sprankle soprano II, Lydia Seltzer alto II, Evan Chichester tenor I, Weston O’Shell tenor II, Austin White tenor II, and Nathaniel Patterson bass

All the Tyrone singers did an amazing job, but Isenberg was the only one who scored high enough to move on.

“I’m not at all surprised that Jay made it to the Regional level,” said Choral Director Laura Harris. “He put in a great deal of time and effort both in and out of school preparing and learning his music.”

In preparation for the Regional festival, Isenberg feels good about going on to the next level.

“I know realistically it’s going to have to be a miracle for me to make it to States, but I’m up for the challenge and I’m excited,” said Isenberg.

Making it to the state level is extremely difficult. In order to move on to State Chorus, Isenberg will have to be one of the top four out of twenty to twenty-five other Bass 1 singers.

“I know that Jake is going to be a great representative of the Tyrone Choral Department at this year’s festival,” said Harris. “…and I also know that he will do his best at the next audition.”

Isenberg is excited and ready for the challenge ahead.

“I don’t care what others think,” said Isenberg. “I’m doing what I like and nobody can change that. I’m happy with my progress so far.”

With just a little more than a month to learn the entire folder of music for the Regional festival, Isenberg will be busy preparing.