Choir members take top honors at District event

Sophomore Sarah Douglass and senior Jake Seal both took first place honors at the District Solo Competition held at Redmond High School on Friday, March 4.

Seal sings bass in the Sisters High School Concert Choir and for District performed “Alma del Core,” written by composer Antonio Caldera.

“I was very nervous and just wanted to sing and be done,” Seal said. “I tried to stay calm and relaxed so I could have a good, round sound.

“This was a serious song,” Seal said, “and I had to stand still and look sad. It’s much more fun and comfortable for me when I’m singing an energetic song where I get to move around and smile a lot.”

Choir director Tara MacSween said, “Jake has one of those voices that people just stand and watch with their mouths open. When he performs he performs with confidence and the audience really enjoys what he does.”

Sarah Douglass took first place honors in the alto division.

In the high school choir, Douglass sings soprano but has a mezzo voice and is able to sing both very high and very low. Choir director Tara MacSween suggested to Sarah that she enter and compete in the alto division because her mezzo voice would fit in better with the rich full tones of an alto.

Douglass sang one movement from “Lullaby,” an opera from the 1900s composed by Mennotti.

Douglass told The Nugget that one adjudicator told her 80 percent of women who sing are sopranos and she is one of the few who have a true alto voice.

The adjudicator was surprised to learn that Douglass is only 15 years old. Sarah was told she had a voice the opera loves and was encouraged to take private lessons.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to perform on Broadway,” said Douglass, “but after speaking with the adjudicator I’m thinking that maybe I should pursue opera.”

Douglass said the experience of performing at District was very exciting and a good chance for her to practice outside of school.

“It allowed me to develop more as a musician,” said Douglass, “and I enjoyed it so much I hope to compete again next year.”

MacSween said, “She’s got the voice of an opera singer and she’s learning how to use it sensitively and create beautiful lines. She’s just grasping a stage presence that relaxes her audience and that’s a real key to being a good performer.” (photos by Rongi Yost)