Junior Levi Shamblen has been in Milton High School’s choir since his sophomore year. This year, he attended the PA Music Education Association Region IV Chorus Competition held at Valley View High School from March 6-9.
Levi said he attended the three-day competition with Senior Mia Sera, but many students from schools across northeast PA attended.
According to Milton Choir Director Mr. Eric Bergmueller, to qualify for Regionals, students must make it to Districts first. He said auditions for Regionals are held on the first day of District chorus. The top 20 auditioners for each voice part are accepted, as well as two alternates, he added.
“On the first day of Regionals, you audition for the all-state chorus. On the second day, you rehearse the music for the concert. Finally, on the third day, you finish preparing the music and perform it in a concert,” added Levi.
Levi said his favorite part of Regionals was when the competitors all “came together” to sing in one large group.
“Levi is absolutely a ‘clutch’ person– he performed very well under pressure to make it into regionals,” said Mr. Bergmueller.
According to Mr. Bergmueller, students who prepare more for events like Regionals and Districts place higher. He added Levi practices a lot, both at home and at school, which is why he placed well. Levi said he placed 10th out of all tenor voice parts during Regionals, but only the top four qualified for States.
Levi said he has liked singing since he was a little kid. “I’ve grown techniques from experiences, and I learned how to control my voice as I grew up,” he added.
Levi said that he still makes mistakes while performing, but said he tries to recover and move on without becoming discouraged. “Mistakes are natural. As annoying as they are, they will always happen at some point,” he added.
According to Levi, he is also involved in theater. He added he has performed in Milton Drama Club’s productions of Mamma Mia!, Chicago and White Christmas. He added he also had roles in The Sound of Music and Oliver! with RiverStage Community Theater in Lewisburg.
“Being in choir helps me practice the skills I need for musical theater, like blending, which is the ability to sing with a group of people,” said Levi. He added that choir taught him how to harmonize with other singers.
Levi said he plans to participate in choir and musical theater in college and would like to pursue a music career.
Levi added he has been inspired by Billie Eilish. “She is proof that somebody who is young can become successful because of their talents,” he said.
“Practice, focus, and dedication are essential for the best choir experience,” said Levi. “People seem to become discouraged when they don’t see improvement in their abilities, but a lot of the time, they are forgetting to practice what we are working on.”
