When it comes to music, Dominick Matheny and his mother, Melissa, have something in common. They were both selected to sing with the best in West Virginia.  For Melissa, the opportunity came when she was in high school. Dominick, however, started much younger and was one of two students selected to represent Simpson Elementary School in the West Virginia All State Children’s Choir.

 

Along with Matheny, Simpson also will be sending fellow fifth-grader Parker Stamm. The auditions were held at the school on December 18 and required students to perform one of the selections they had practiced all semester. Choir director Christopher Broadwater and Bridgeport United Methodist Church’s Sarah Carr Parsons evaluated students on their vocal range, tonal map and rhythmic stability.  

 

Johnson Elementary was allotted three spots for the All State Children’s Choir and held their auditions prior to school on December 11 and 12. To audition, students had to be a member of the Johnson Elementary School Choir and rehearse after school each week. They performed one of the choir pieces in front of three adjudicators.

 

Fifth grader Alexandria Southern and fourth graders Georgia Faith Mathews and Hannah Watson were ultimately selected to represent Johnson Elementary.  Their choir director, Pam Schwarm, will continue rehearsing with them until they join the nearly 300 students from around the state in March.

 

The West Virginia All State Children’s Choir is made up of the selected singers in grades four through six.  Allotments are based on the size of the school and the number of students in the choir.  The Executive Committee at the state level designate the number of students that can be sent from each school and the selection process generally happens in December each year.  

 

The five Bridgeport elementary school students will continue practicing weekly until the March 7-8 performance in Charleston.  A guest conductor will direct the concert, which will be held in conjunction with the West Virginia Music Educator’s Association Conference.