Pocomoke Middle School students this week rehearse for an upcoming performance with the All-Shore Chorus. Pictured, from left, are Trinity Matthews, Jaheim Burrell, McKenna Shelby, Raquel Ndirangu, Karlaya Dashiell, Lucas Matthews, and instructor Leah Cole.

By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(Feb. 22, 2018) Seven students from Pocomoke Middle School were recently selected to participate in the Junior All-Shore Chorus, an auditioned group spanning the Eastern Shore, according to Principal Matthew Record.

Record said chorus teachers submit nominations for an audition process. This year 23 schools sent about 230 students to the auditions, held at North Dorchester High School in Hurlock in February.

“It is a big year for Pocomoke Middle School, because this was the first time they participated in the audition,” Record said. “The choir at Pocomoke Middle has grown a lot the past four years and they felt confident enough to participate this year.”

Pocomoke Middle students chosen were: Karlaya Dashiel (soprano, 7th grade), Mckenna Selby (alto, 7th grade), Raquel Ndirangu (alto, 8th grade), Trinity Matthews (alto, 6th grade), Phoebe Guo (alto, 7th grade), Jahiem Burrell (tenor, 6th grade) and Lucas Matthews (tenor, 8th grade).

The school is the only one in southern Worcester County to have participants in the Junior All-Shore Chorus, Record said.

“The next step for the seven students is to practice the pieces that will be performed with the chorus,” he said. “They will have one full day of rehearsal with the group and a performance in the evening to follow.”

The performance was scheduled for 7 p.m. on April 6 at Queen Anne’s County High School in Centerville, Maryland.