In a traditional PMEA festival, two to three excerpts are selected from concert material provided. A blind acapella audition is conducted with several judges. A point system out of 15 is used; it is evaluated based on tone, musicality and rhythm. If students place at that level, they will have to re-audition with different excerpts to advance to the next level.

Conestoga has advanced to regions almost every year since it started competing. Students who advanced to regions this year said that choir director Nathan Shughart provided soundtracks to the con- cert material in order to help prepare finalists for singing the excerpts at regions. Junior Charlie Henderson found the sound tracks helpful while preparing for regions.

“Mr. Shughart, our choir teacher, finds us rehearsal tracks that help us practice singing with the tracks, so it’s basically going over them like a thousand times,” Henderson said.

Senior Macy Danenhower has been competing in PMEA choir since she was a sophomore. Danenhower has placed first almost every time in her three years in districts, regionals and states; she has also been to nationals — the highest level a high schooler can reach.

“This being my senior year, I really wanted to keep that (winning) streak going. I have a competitive spirit,” Danenhower said. “I also thought it would be a great way to set things out, and PMEA is such a wonderful and welcoming community. It really doesn’t matter what place you got.”

At the time of COVID-19, auditions were conducted virtually in a single day. Auditions were single-day last year as well, but in-person. This year was the first “normal” year of the traditional three day festival after prompt adjustments were made in previous years due to COVID-19.

Whether virtual or in-per- son, the experience provided an opportunity for those who had a passion instilled with singing. Sophomore Claire Arnault, who also competed in regions, reflects on how she found her love for singing.

“I did musical theater in elementary school and choir in middle school and I’ve just always loved it and do it as much as possible. So, I’m really grateful for PMEA, which I’d heard about back in middle school, and thought, ‘Why not give it a shot?’” Arnault said.

Overall, PMEA gave many a chance to enjoy the art of singing and audition for their passion.

“I feel like the festivals and PMEA are just an amazing opportunity to meet new people and sing amazing pieces for choirs,” junior Ethan Marshall said. “So, I realized I couldn’t miss out. I had to audition to get that experience.”