On Tuesday, November 3, 2015, Randolph-Macon Academy (R-MA) Chorus Director Michael DeMato took 19 students to Sherando High School in Stephens City, VA, to audition for District XIV Chorus. Four R-MA students were selected to the District Chorus: senior Jingwen “Alice” Gong, junior Yifei “Helen” Peng, freshman Wan Sun, and sophomore Gillian Rydholm. In addition, sophomore Jin Wang was selected a first alternate and junior AyebaSopreye Eke-Spiff was selected as a third alternate.
“This year's audition piece was extremely difficult, and I am very proud of everyone who tried out,” DeMato said.
He singled out Jingwen “Alice” Gong, a senior at R-MA, who scored first out of all soprano 1's. “This is the highest and hardest voice part to audition for,” he observed.
The R-MA students will join other talented singers from Warren, Frederick, Clarke, Fauquier, Rappahannock, and Shenandoah counties to put on the District XIV Concert on Saturday, February 13, 2016 at Millbrook High School in Winchester, VA.
Randolph-Macon Academy (R-MA), founded in 1892, is a college-preparatory, coeducational day and boarding school for students in grades 6 through 12. Students in grades 9-12 participate in R-MA’s 91st Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) and have the option to participate in a flight program. R-MA is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and is located in Front Royal, VA.