Auditions to be held for All-State choirs

Every year, the choir program participates in auditioning for the All-State Show Choir and All-State Jazz Choir. This year, auditions are to be held Sat., Sept. 26.

 

All-State Show Choir and All-State Jazz Choir, often shortened to Show and Jazz respectively, are extremely difficult choirs to get into. Despite the many students who show up to audition and don’t make it, McClintock has had students in the choirs for several years running.

 

Show choir is considered to be the more difficult of the two among choir students, since there is not only singing involved, but also dancing. Those auditioning are required to learn a song before the audition takes place, and are then taught a dance which they must perform the very day of the audition.

 

“[Show choir] was a lot of intense, fast-paced, quick learning of dancing and that’s not my strong point,” senior Ashley Jones, who has auditioned for both choirs in past years, said. “The dancing was really intimidating for me.”

 

Jazz choir, while still a feat, is the one most students choose to tackle. Though there is no dancing involved, the choir will only take the very best of the best. To be prepared for auditions, everyone must learn a solo on their own to be performed in front of the judges, along with perfecting their scales.

 

The atmospheres of both auditions are also very different.

 

“Everyone’s supportive of you being there and it’s not as competitive as show,” Jones said about jazz choir auditions. “It’s cool and laid-back.”

 

The process is intimidating for all who choose to go through with it, regardless of the choir. For all those truly dedicated to their voices, the intimidation is worth it.

 

“I don’t sing jazz very much, but that’s why I want to do this, so I can improve on that type of singing,” senior Ami Campillo said.

 

Senior Ronnie Torres made it into the jazz clinic choir last year as a junior. Though clinic is not quite making the choir, it is still a huge achievement in itself, one that most of those who audition don’t reach.

 

With auditions so soon, rest assured that both first-timers and those who have gone in previous years are going over their scales and solos time and time again in preparation.