Melodies of ambition

​By Adyson Rackley, Contributing Writer

Hopeful singers prepare to showcase their talents at their District Honor Choir audition. ​

The young vocalists of Centralia High School (CHS) are sure to display their dedication to rehearsals and artistry throughout the audition process. 

This past September, the students trying out went to Hannibal, MO in hopes of making districts. As the years of high school experience increase, it is harder to become a part of the District Choir. Juniors and seniors have a higher difficulty of making it than the freshmen and sophomores. Overcoming the odds, seniors, Haley Ludwig and Josh Russell made the cut. freshman Amelia Brauker and sophomores Charlie Carrico, Callahan Hestir and Jerick Kalinowski also got accepted. 

The preparation time was extremely short this year, with auditions held on September 15, less than a month after our school year started. Mrs. Leah Rolfson, CHS Choir and Orchestra director, helps prepare the students auditioning as much as she can by requesting the auditionees to her classroom during a study hall period to practice and sing through their musical piece. She also teaches them about key signatures because it is part of the audition to name the different musical notations. 

Ludwig improved on a skill while preparing for districts, “I was able to get better at sight reading,”stated Ludwig. Sight reading is getting music for the first time and trying to sing or play it without any prior preparation of the music. When asked why he chose to audition, Russell responded with, “Because the district choir singers always make great music.” 

The finalized District Honor Choir has a concert at Moberly High School on November 2, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public.