Ponderosa Middle School seventh grader Lilly Jannicelli has been selected to join the Oregon Music Educators Association (OMEA) Middle School All-State Choir. Jannicelli is among the first Ponderosa choir students in recent memory to be selected for all-state.
This January, Jannicelli will travel to Eugene where she will join other talented middle school singers from across the state for several days of rehearsals and a culminating performance.
The audition process can be daunting. Students had to learn the song, Dona Nobis Pacem and record themselves singing it a cappella, and in a quiet space.
“The process started when my choir teacher (KFCS choir instructor Perry Dean) told us about the opportunity and said he really wanted someone from Ponderosa to audition,” Jannicelli said. “I was freaking out because I was so excited. I looked it up and saw that about 400 to 500 students auditioned, so I felt really proud I made it in.”
While this is Jannicelli’s first year in choir, she’s already found her voice as a performer. Her passion for singing began last school year when she performed a solo in the Ponderosa talent show, singing Bruno Mars’ “Die with a Smile.”
“That was kind of the beginning of it all for me,” Jannicelli said. “It was really scary performing alone, but afterward, people told me I should join choir. That experience gave me confidence and made me realize I really love to sing.”
In addition to choir, Jannicelli has been part of orchestra for three years. She said balancing both has been rewarding, though scheduling can be tricky with health and PE requirements and will not be able to continue in choir next semester but would like to sing in choir at Klamath Union High School.
“I’ve always liked singing, but I think my family’s support really pushed me to believe I could do it and that I’m capable,” Jannicelli said.
Jannicelli wants her experience to inspire other students at Ponderosa to take chances and explore their talents.
“I hope this kind of starts a trend. I want other students to feel like they can put themselves out there, too. You never know what could happen unless you try,” Jannicelli said. “They even mentioned it on the morning announcements, and one of my teachers gave me a balloon and chocolate. It made me feel really special.”
