Southwest Middle School choirs have been actively practicing the basics of choral singing and learning the Albert Lea School Song, rounds and warm ups. They also have been rehearsing music for the upcoming Nov. 11 Veterans’ Day Program.

In addition, a number of eighth-grade students prepared and recorded audition entries for Minnesota’s all-state honors choirs.

Students showed great interest in trying out for Anacrusis Girls Honors Choir and Anacrusis Boys Honors Choir. For the audition, they practiced singing a scale and a required song individually, without accompaniment.

Eight students, five girls and three boys, recorded auditions, which were submitted to the American Choral Directors Association of Minnesota last week. Within a few weeks, their teacher/director, Sherry Seberson, will be notified of students chosen to participate in the all-state choirs.

The process of preparing an audition is an excellent growth experience in independent singing, whether he or she is selected for all-state participation. Students who are chosen for one of the honors choirs prepare five or six pieces of music and perform with other Minnesota students in a concert in November, this year in Mahtomedi.

Two years ago, Albert Lea had one middle school student who was selected and sang in the Anacrusis Girls Honors Choir.