Touring Company auditions lead to callbacks

By:Kelsey Drapkin

   With pressure from the guidance counselors formulating schedules, Mr. John Whapham and Mr. Ken Holdt were forced to push auditions for Touring Company earlier than ever. 
   The first round of auditions was held on Tuesday, Mar. 31.  This audition included boys and girls who were interested in Touring Company and Chamber Choir.  With the extreme amount of female talent seen, Whapham and Holdt made the executive decision to hold call backs for girls.
   “There was so much talent at auditions and callbacks! I just don’t know how they are going to be able to narrow it down to just nine girls,” said Caroline Bresnahan, 9.
   Out of the 16 girls that were called back, 10 will be seniors next year which has made some underclassmen worried.  There is only room for nine or ten girls in the group to match the male amount. 
   The decision to make the group smaller this year came as a result of the unusually large current group.  The directors felt as though more talent will be able to be revealed in a smaller group.
   Callbacks, held Tuesday, Apr. 7, proved to be just as competitive as auditions.  The girls were taught a challenging dance and had to sing the original audition piece as well as an excerpt of a piece from Godspell, the upcoming summer play.
   “I’m so glad the choir program is raising the bar this year.  It will definitely be a great way to showcase individual talents,” said Kat Pensyl, 11.
   Current TC members are having a hard time deciding whether to continue with the program next year. 
    “It’s really hard to fit everything into your schedule and sometimes the structure of class was a little too chaotic for my taste,” said Jenlain Coyle, 10.
   Whapham and Holdt have decided to withhold the results to lessen the chance of hard feelings of current TC members that may not have made next year’s group.