In the fourth grade, senior Jessica Pain found a love for singing in choir. She has been taking voice lessons since she was twelve and actively participates in theater.
“Music has always been a part of my life,” Pain said. “I’ve worked a lot to do these types of opportunities it really comes down to the amount of work.”
VMEA (Virginia Music Educators Association) Honors Choir is a statewide opportunity in which high school seniors can participate. This year, it took place on November 21 through 23 in Stafford and Omni Homestead. Over 130 students were selected through a highly competitive audition process.
Pain said she did not expect to be accepted and admitted she looked at the judges’ sheets and thought she didn’t do well. Pain shared that once she received the news she was accepted, she was “overjoyed” and celebrated with her family.
The selected students learned six pieces and, at the end of the three days, they performed the pieces they learned.
They were directed by renowned director Dr. Andre Thomas, professor of music at Florida State University. Thomas even commissioned a piece specifically for this year’s Honors Choir.
“I genuinely had a lot of fun rehearsing. We would spend like seven hours a day rehearsing, but I loved it so much,” Pain said.
Pain also had the opportunity to meet new people and reconnect with friends from around Virginia. “When [it] comes together, you just make such a beautiful sound and connect with so many people and it’s just an amazing experience,” Pain said.
She added, “Everyone should sing. It’s really cool, and it’s a great way to connect with people … music is an amazing connection to the world and you can find so much in yourself and others.”