District 12 ChorusFest brought together singers from 21 schools
(From left to right) Duncan Smith, Neja Jackson, Aodhan Gorman, Conductor Carl Nygaard, Giovanna Ruggio, Becca Shoemaker, teacher Roseann Barnes, and Erin Dooley.
By P.J. D’Annunzio, Staff Writer, KennettTimes.com
KENNETT SQUARE — In late March, six students of the Kennett Middle School Eighth Grade Chorus, under the direction of Roseann Kello Barnes, participated in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association’s District 12 Chorus Fest at Tredyffrin-Easttown Middle School in Berwyn, Penn.
One hundred and thirty-three select singers from twenty-one schools from Chester, Delaware and Philadelphia Counties prepared eight challenging and diverse musical selections at their respective schools.
The singers rehearsed the entire day under the direction of Pennsylvania composer, conductor, and music educator Carl Nygaard. In the evening the students presented a concert performance to a captivated audience of parents and officials from the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association.
In his remarks to the audience at the concert, Nygaard praised the students for their preparation, musicianship, and behavior during seven and a half hours of rehearsals. He thanked parents and music teachers for their dedication to music education and emphasized the importance of musical study for all students.
Guided by teacher Roseann Barnes, the following represented Kennett Middle School: Duncan Smith, Neja Jackson, Aodhan Gorman, Giovanna Ruggio, Becca Shoemaker, and Erin Dooley.
