MASD student represents district at Region Chorus Festival

Rayne Stevanus recently represented the Meyersdale Area School District at the 2026 PMEA Region III Chorus Festival with great distinction! Rayne successfully auditioned for this honor during the PMEA District Chorus Festival held earlier this year. The Region III Chorus Festival was held February 18-20 at the Forest Hills Junior-Senior High School.

Rayne joined more than 175 performers from 43 school districts. She was selected to perform in the Tenor 1 section. This was her second year earning a spot in this prestigious festival. “I am grateful for the opportunity to work with such talented individuals at this festival. I am proud to represent Meyersdale for the second year in a row, and I am looking forward to working toward the goal of going back next year,” Rayne explained.

Rayne and her fellow vocalists spent three days rehearsing with Dr. Briana Nannen. Dr. Nannen is an associate professor of choral music education, coordinator of music education and interim director of choral activities at Marshall University.

At the conclusion of the festival, the Region III Chorus performed a concert for friends and family. Selections performed included: “Measure Me, Sky,” by Leonara Speyer and Elaine Hagenberg; “Sonder,” by Kayla Thomas and Jenna Toms; “Man Up,” by Becky Hemsley and Jeremy Landig; “Breathe,” also by Hemsley and Landig; “To Sit and Dream,” by Langston Hughes and Rosephayne Powell; “They Are Mother,” by Jennifer Luck Cook; “Fire,” from Elements, by Katerina Gimon; and “World O World,” by Jacob Collier.

Rachelle Linares, choral director, said the songs performed at Region Chorus were difficult and very different, some included the students stomping and shouting out different sounds for special effects as well as difficult harmonies at times creating dissonance. “The students embraced the challenges and put on a spectacular performance,” she added.