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Date: 3/1/2023
LUDLOW – Ludlow High School sophomore Caitlyn Day has been chosen for the Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA) All-State chorus for the second year in a row.
To get selected for the all-state chorus, students first must audition within the district and score within the top 50 percent. If they score high enough, they then can audition for the All-State chorus.
Approximately 100 students from around the state are chosen for a performance that will take place this year on March 4 at Boston Symphony Hall, 301 Massachusetts Ave.
Day explained she has had a passion for the stage ever since she was a kid. She has been doing musical theater since she was nine years old. She also loves to sing and plays a few instruments including the ukulele and flute.
“Music is a big part of my life. Ever since I was little, I would perform around the house. There are videos of me singing ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ waiting for people to watch and listen. My dad also sang to me a lot when I was little and always had music on, so I guess it stuck,” Day added.
According to Day, the Ludlow chorus is small compared to the All-State chorus.
She said, “It is such a surreal experience, and I am excited to do it again. We are trying to get the chorus at Ludlow big and strong again so going in and being with the huge choir is amazing. I am used to signing with 14 other kids and now there are 50 kids in each section.”
Day has received the musical pieces for the performance and has been practicing, but added the chorus will only have two long rehearsals with the whole choir before the concert.
The audition process includes many students, which is why being chosen for the All-State chorus is considered prestigious, according to Ludlow High School music teacher Kevin McAvoy.
He said, “The numbers are about the same. Between 300 to 400 students will audition for district and they will take 100. There are basically 50 students auditioning from each district. There are five districts across the state that send students to try and get selected to the all-state chorus.”
For the audition, each student is assigned the same piece to sing in front of a judge and then meet with a separate judge to perform scales and sight-reading. Even though a select number of students are chosen, McAvoy had no doubt based on Day’s talent.
“Caitlyn is an amazing student. She is dedicated to music and her academics. She is naturally gifted with an effortless voice. She is only a sophomore and already one of the best performing students in Western Massachusetts. I am super proud of her and glad she can participate again,” said McAvoy.