Searcy, AR. (LP) — The Searcy High School Choir attended CPA or Choral Performance Assessment on Thursday, March 5. This competition is the product of weeks of preparation and hard work. In recent years the choir has had very successful CPA’s and displayed high ratings each year. This year has been no different for the Searcy High School choir as they achieved superior ratings in all categories. Faith Ashenberger, a senior at Searcy High School and three-year attendee of the Choral Performance Assessment, informed us of the extent, and difficulty of earning superior ratings. “Earning a superior rating takes hours of both individual and group practice to make sure that the pieces are good enough to perform in front of the judges, and an audience,” Faith explained. Being a part of the choir during CPA requires a great amount of accountability. It is each person’s responsibility that they are contributing something that adds to the overall effect of the group rather than diminishing it. CPA can also be a big moment for senior choir members as it signifies their final choir CPA and possible final choral contest. “It’s not as big of deal as the final concert at the end of the year but it can still be a big deal because you want to make sure your last CPA goes well,” said Faith Ashenberger.
After the choir attends the assessment they will receive their judges comments and learn from the mistakes they may have made during their performances. Savannah Brown, a senior member of both the Searcy High School choir, and the All-State choir informed Lion Press the details of the review process, “After the contest is over and we all see how the choir did as a whole we can all look back and talk about how we could have improved our performance.” Even when the choir as a whole earns superior ratings, and accomplishes high scores there is always some part of the concert that could be improved. “Everyone makes mistakes, especially when you’re nervous about a performance. While you’re in an adrenaline rush your only goal may be to get through it without making a huge mistake, reviewing gives you a chance to reflect when you can focus on the smaller details.”
The Searcy High School Choir, although just participating in one of the largest Choir contests in the state, are already preparing for their next performance. The Choir’s spring concert will be held in April and will feature all of the soon to be graduating seniors. All Searcy High School students are invited to attend this concert at the Performing Arts Center on April 30 as well as the White County Choirpalooza on April 20, 6 to 7 pm.
