Canfield choirs earn superior ratings

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Neighbors | Submitted.Seniors in the One Octave Higher Ensemble at Canfield High School show off their rating from the District V OMEA Choir Competition on March 17.

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Neighbors | Submitted.Seniors in the Chambers Ensemble at Canfield High School relax after their performance at the District V OMEA Choir Competition on March 17..

Both the Canfield High School Chamber Ensemble and the One Octave Higher Ensemble received unanimous superior marks at the District V Ohio Music Educators Association large group district competition held March 17 at Howland Middle School.

Both ensembles are under the direction of choir director Kelly Scurich.

Both groups received the highest marks, overall “ones,” across the board from all of the judges — the only choirs that day to receive straight superior marks.

The Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) is the Ohio state-level affiliate of MENC: The National Association for Music Education. Of the 52 federated state affiliates of MENC, the OMEA is the third largest and is the only state-level affiliate chartered as a “music education association” rather than a “music educators association.”

Canfield and the surrounding area schools are located in OMEA District V.

“I am very proud of our One Octave and Chambers Ensembles students,” said Scurich. “The students practiced throughout the school day for months ahead of time and learned not only the song selections, but also strengthened their sight reading, which is a part of the competition.”

Groups sing three selections showing their range, but are also given a selection that they have never performed as a group. They have a few minutes to sight read the selection’s music and then perform it as a group to the judges.

As a result of their district performance, both Chambers and One Octave qualified for State OMEA competition at Highland High School in Medina later this month.

The Chambers Ensemble is comprised of both male and female students, while One Octave Higher is an all-female choir. Students must go through an audition process to be chosen for the groups and spots are limited.