As a member of POPS Extension, the Drama Club, football team, long-time Boy Scout, and newly-established tennis player, Tyrone senior John Isenberg has gotten his feet wet with many opportunities during his high school career. However, for Isenberg, none of these journeys quite compares to the one he has taken through the PMEA Choral festivals.
This past week, Isenberg said goodbye to the world of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) esteemed choral festivals after his three accomplished years of attendance. Following his qualification for the District and Regional level choirs, Isenberg traveled to Somerset to claim his seat at the Regional Festival held on March 7th and 8th.
Being part of the festival is no easy task. Isenberg spent two full days working through a folder of eight songs, seven of which his voice part sang. Rehearsals began at 8:30 am each morning, with day one ending around 8:30 pm. Only a few short breaks between rehearsal time slots were given to the singers on both days. The festival closed out with a concert held at 7 pm on the second day, where the choir performed the folder of songs.
It’s fun because you’re constantly surrounded by and connecting with those that share the same interests as you.
— John Isenberg
Isenberg’s hard work did not begin here, though. On the evening of March 6th, auditions for the State-level choir were also held at Somerset Area High School, where singers were asked to perform selections of specifically chosen songs for a panel of judges. Scoring from this audition process would then determine each singer’s seating among the rest of their peers.
The singers were informed on the afternoon of the first festival day of their seating and whether or not they qualified to move on to the State-level choir. Isenberg placed 18th in the region.
Though he did not qualify for the State choir, Isenberg’s accomplishments within the PMEA festivals serve as no easy feat.
Isenberg reflected fondly on his time representing his school and District.
“Sure, I didn’t make States, but I’m still happy that I made it this far. I made a lot of friends at Districts and Regionals… shout out to the guys from Hollidaysburg,” Isenberg said.
This was Isenberg’s second time qualifying for Regionals, though it was the first time he was able to attend. His accomplishments in the TAHS music department during his high school career have not gone unnoticed, and he cites having great memories of participating in the PMEA festivals.
“I’m really going to miss PMEA,” Isenberg said, “It gives everyone a great chance to make friends, and it’s fun because you’re constantly surrounded by and connecting with those that share the same interests as you.”
Isenberg wants to encourage any students considering participation in the music department to give it a try. The community that he has become a part of within the choral world is one that he will forever be grateful for and that he would like as many young people to experience as possible.
