Four students from Cathedral Prep recently participated in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) region II Choir after advancing through the district audition process. The event brings together high school vocalists from across the region for rehearsals and a final performance.

Students first participate in PMEA districts, where singers perform and are ranked within their voice parts. The top singers then advance to the regional level.

Christian Mungarurire, one of Cathedral Prep’s choir members who advanced, explained how the process works.

“The audition process for PMEA regions was to first qualify in the top 10 of my part (Tenor 2) in PMEA districts then you advance to regions,” Christian said.

At the regional festival, students from many different schools come together to rehearse and prepare music over the course of two days before performing together. The rehearsal can be long as each person has to improve the music.

“Sometimes rehearsals were a drag to get through,” Christian said. “Consistent mistakes each part had to fix and the long rehearsals we had for those two days.” Though, the final production made it all worth it.

Despite the long rehearsals, the event gave students the opportunity to work with singers from other schools and build connections through music.

“It was nice because not only do you get to make new friends, but you also learn from and with them,” Christian said.

For many participants, the experience also comes with pride in representing their school at the regional event.

“I felt proud being able to represent for Cathedral Prep for something,” Christian said. “Like I helped the school gain a better reputation.”

Students who attend the festival also receive PMEA pins to recognize their participation.

“And just seeing my face and gaining pins from PMEA, it’s almost like my start of fame or something,” Christian said.