TOWAMENCIN – Two North Penn High School students have worked their way to the top, as they have been chosen to be members of the 2019 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association All-State Chorus.

Senior Madeline Burk and junior Kaavya Desai have been working hard since November, the time of the first auditions for PMEA District Chorus. From there, they advanced to the Regional Choir, a mix of Districts 11 and 12. That Regional Festival was a little over a week ago on March 23rd; ten North Penn students attended. Only a week and half later, they will leave for Pittsburgh to perform at the PMEA All-State Festival from April 4th to April 7th.

Neither expected to make it this far, but are equally grateful for their accomplishments.

“I didn’t think I would make it all the way to All-State, but I really hoped I would! I thought the experience would be a really cool and interesting one, and I’m very happy I get to go. It was kind of my goal, but I didn’t really have any expectation of achieving it, I just wanted to try my best and have fun with as many festivals as I could participate in,” Burk commented.

“I definitely had no idea that I would make it to All-States. At the beginning, I thought making districts was going to be a long shot, so making it to All-States feels like a one in a million chance. I was super nervous when I auditioned for District Chorus, and I was elated when I found out I had made it, but I really had no expectations of advancing any further because I placed 19th. I was just really happy to have made it and been a part of it,” Desai remarked.

This is Burk’s third year of PMEA festivals, and each year has brought new experiences and many things to remember.

“It’s been really cool getting to be a part of PMEA chorus festivals since sophomore year. Every festival, I learn new things about music and life, I make new friends who I wouldn’t have met otherwise, and I get closer to people who I already know. I’m really excited to see what we learn and experience at states,” she said.

This is Desai’s first year being a part of PMEA festivals, making it all the more impressive that she is attending All-States this year.

“Last year, I wasn’t a part of Chamber Singers, and I admired their talent and what they could create, and watched some of my friends advance through PMEA festivals. It’s totally crazy and surreal for me to think that I’ve gotten to do the same thing. I’m super happy that I’ve had the chance to learn more about music through new conductors and directors, meet new friends who have similar interests, and became better friends with people who I already knew but would otherwise never become close with. I’m really excited to learn more and make more great friends, and I’m so thankful for everything I’ve experienced so far,” finished Desai.

Congratulations to these two hard working students, and best of luck in Pittsburgh!