Douglass makes Youth Choral Academy

Sophomore Sarah Douglass has been accepted to be a part of the Youth Choral Academy (YCA) this summer in Eugene.

The YCA is part of the Oregon Bach Festival and is for high school vocalists who want to become better singers. It is an 11-day experience, led by conductor Anton Armstrong of St. Olaf College, and is open by auditions nationwide.

It includes classes, an intensive schedule of rehearsals, attending Oregon Bach Festival concerts and a gala final concert held at the Hult Center of Performing Arts at the University of Oregon (U of O).

This year 87 students were accepted from nine different states, including Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Alaska, Utah, Idaho, California, New Jersey and Ohio. The YCA will run June 24-July 5. The performance will be at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5 at the Hult Center.

Douglass auditioned for YCA at Bend High on March 2. For the audition students sang a song of their choice. Sarah sang “Lullaby” which she will also sing at the State Competition. Douglass also had to sing the first verse of “America the Beautiful” and other choral warm-ups to show her vocal ability and range.

“The audition was nerve wracking,” said Douglass. “The drive over seemed to take forever. But once I got into the audition, Dr. Clark was really nice and encouraging. It was a greatexperience.”

This summer Sarah will stay at the Barnhart Dormitory at the U of O and during the week will work on vocal technique, musicianship and movement. Douglass will sing Alto 1 and Alto 2. The 87 students will put in approximately 60 hours of choral rehearsals in 10 days.

Douglass is very excited about the experience that lies ahead.

“I can’t wait to go to the Youth Choral Academy,” she said. “I have the opportunity to really study music with students who love to sing as much as I do. I’m looking forward to meeting new people and growing as avocalist.”

When Douglass informed her choir teacher Tara MacSween about making YCA MacSween was elated.

“I was so excited when Sarah told me she was accepted that I started jumping up and down. The experience that she will have this summer will be one she will remember all of her life. The sound that this group of singers produces is on par or better than college groups and the instructor is an incredible director.

“It’s super exciting, super elite and a real honor for her to be accepted,” said MacSween.