• AUDITIONS for the
    2025-2026 Select Choir 
     
    AUDITION INFORMATION
    (Please stop down to Room 121 during WIN to Sign-Up for auditions if you have not done so already!)
     
      
    Email Mr. Leigh at jleigh@neshaminy.org if you are interested!
     
    When: Monday, May 19th from 6:30pm-8:30pm (or longer, if necessary)
     
    Where: Due to a performance in our Auditorium, you will enter through the front doors and proceed towards the Music Wing where current members will assist you.
     

    RESULTS WILL BE POSTED HERE ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 21st AT 5pm

     
    NEW MEMBERS: 
     
    1.  Sing first verse of "My Country 'Tis Of Thee" (prepare ahead of time)
    Below you will find an excellent example of what this should sound like.
     
    CLICK THE LINK BELOW to hear the song.  Go ahead and practice along with it.  You will find the music at the bottom of this page.
    This performance was sung by Select Choir alumnus Bella Paglaiccetti of the Class of 2025.
     
     
    "My country, 'tis of thee, 
    Sweet land of liberty,
    Of thee I sing.
    Land where my fathers died,
    Land of the pilgrims' pride,
    From ev'ry mountain side
    Let freedom ring!"
     
     
     
    2.  Sing 3 short tonal patterns on the syllable "LA" (You will not know the patterns until you audition, so try your best!  They don't need to be perfect!) 
    Below you will find an excellent example of what this will look and sound like.
     
    HOW DOES IT WORK?  CLICK THE LINK BELOW to see a tonal pattern being performed.  You will be asked to sing 3 of these.  You DO NOT get them ahead of time.  There is no way to prepare.  They DO NOT need to be perfect.  Please try your best.  Our most experienced singers do not get every note.  You will hear each one twice on the piano, and then you will sing.
     
     
     
     
    WHAT AM I LOOKING FOR IN A SELECT CHOIR MEMBER? 
    2 Main Things: 1) Your tone quality (a pleasant, well-supported voice that maintains proper intonation) and, 2) Your ability to retain and reproduce new music quickly.  This is what the tonal patterns are for, and why you aren't able to hear them until your audition.  
     
     
    A WORD ON COMMITMENT:
         I am also looking for commitment from you.  Select Choir is a group that makes music of a very difficult nature and this requires attendance from everyone on a regular basis.  Being prepared takes hard work.  It all begins with showing up.  Generally, we rehearse EVERY Monday night from 6:30-8:30 and MOST Wednesdays after school from 3:00-5:00.  Sometimes the school calendar forces us to adjust.  Additionally, you must ALSO be a member of your grade-level choir. 
         This may sound difficult for you, and I understand that.  However, this is what allows our students to sound terrific and meet the standards they have set for themselves over the years.  It is NOT for everyone.  Most students miss (3) or fewer rehearsals in an entire school year, and that includes illness.  Our members look for reasons to attend, not the other way around.  Does this sound like something you could do?  Excellent.  Read further.
     
     
    OUR HISTORY:
    2011 MENC All-Eastern Music Conference in Baltimore, MD
    2015 ACDA-PA Fall Choral Conference at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, PA
    2015 2ND Place in the MoreFM 101.1 Christmas Choir Competition $2,000 prize
    2016 PMEA Annual In-Service Conference at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center in Hershey, PA
    2016 ACDA-PA Fall Choral Conference at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, PA
    2017 Performed live on 93.3 WMMR on the Preston and Steve Show
    2017 Performed live on Fox29's Good Day Philadelphia! morning show
    2017 ACDA-PA Fall Choral Conference at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, PA
    2017 2ND Place in the MoreFM 101.1 Christmas Choir Competition $2,000 prize
    2018 First appearance at AcaTamaJam a cappella festival at Tamanend Middle School
    2019 NAfME/PMEA Eastern Division Conference in Pittsburgh, PA
    2019 Second appearance at AcaTamaJam a cappella festival at Tamanend Middle School
    2020 ACDA Eastern Division Conference in Rochester, NY
    2022 Third appearance at AcaTamaJam a cappella festival at Tamanend Middle School
    2023 PMEA Annual In-Service Conference at the Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in Pocono Manor, PA
    2023 Fourth appearance at AcaTamaJam a cappella festival at Tamanend Middle School
    2024 Fifth appearance at AcaTamaJam a cappella festival at Tamanend Middle School
    2024 First appearance at the Maple Point a cappella festival 
    2025 MoreFM 101.1 Christmas Choir Competition competitor
    2025 6th appearance at AcaTamaJam a cappella festival at Tamanend Middle School
    2025 2nd appearance at A Cappella @ The Point at Maple Point Middle School
     
    If you have any further questions about anything, don't hesitate to e-mail me or stop down to Room 121!
     
    I am excited to hear from you at the audition.  You will do great!
     
    Sincerely,
     
    Mr. Leigh
     
    General & Vocal Music
    Select Choir Director
    Poquessing Middle School
    Neshaminy School District
     
    E-Mail: