Franklin hosts area's top singers on their stage

Based on all the social media posts that stumbled across the Eight & 322 desk since Friday night, the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Region II Chorus concert at Franklin High School was a success.

​The top four singers from each choral section move on to sing in the PEMA's state chorus in April. There are eight sections within the regional choir, so only 32 of the 160 students were invited to the next level of performance.

​Oil City's Alexandra Webster was the only Venango County singer to make the cut.

She will perform in the all-state chorus from April 6 - 8 at the Kalahari Resort in the Poconos.

The Region II chorus is open to singers from 53 schools across 13 counties. The location of the performance changes each year. Choir directors Sarah Gilbert (Franklin), Jodi Hoover (Rocky Grove) and Preston Yoder (Cranberry) served as hosts for the 2022 event. 

​The guest conductor was Dr. Caron Daley of Duquesne University.

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There were 20 teenagers from the Venango County in the chorus and 18 from Crawford County. To be eligible for the regional choir, students must be in 10th through 12th grade and also sing in District 2 or District 3 choir earlier this school year.

Venango County
Cranberry - Jonathan Love (Tenor II), Emily Mong (Alto I), Trevor Olson (Bass I), Jacob Schultz (Tenor I), Alyssa Wright (Tenor I), Madison Wright (Alto II) and Micah Wry (Bass II). 
Franklin - Silas Adams (Bass I), Josie Fish (Alto I), Sydney May (Soprano I), Makenna Reavis (Alto II), Alyssa Shick ( Soprano II) and Grace Turk (Alto II).
Oil City - Hannah Krug (Alto I), Matthew Myers (Alto II), Mason Stephens (Tenor I) and Alexandra Webster (Soprano I).
Rocky Grove - Dustin McMullen (Brass II) and Logan Swartz (Bass I). 
Venango Catholic - Cheyanne Rudder (Alto II).

Crawford County
Cambridge Springs - Caroline Adolphson (Alto I) and Olivia Martinez (Soprano I).
Cochranton - Spencer Freysinger (Bass I), Kristen McGarvey (Soprano II), Alison Merritt (Soprano I) and Kyran Miller (Alto I).
CASH - Pasquale Mattera (Bass II) and Nathaniel Turner (Bass I).
Maplewood - Zack Leonhart (Bass II).
Meadville - Cooper Breckenridge (Tenor I), Melanie Cosdon (Alto II), Emma Landefeld (Soprano II), Silas Lashbrook (Tenor II), Ella White (Alto II) and Conner Zimmerman (Bass II).
Titusville - Alexis Banner (Alto II), Lance Enright (Bass I) and Madison Wakefield (Alto II). 

NOTE: Adding more than just her vocal talents to the chorus, Franklin's Grace Turk also designed the keepsake program that was handed out to guests and participants.