The Cardinal School District is thrilled to announce that they have not one, but two young students who have been accepted into the “Ohio Music Education Association Children’s Chorus” located in Columbus, Ohio. The Huskies will be represented by Audrey Aguillo and Ailyn Shantery who will make the trip to the Columbus Convention Center on February 1st to participate in the event.
Ailyn Shantery, a fifth grader at Cardinal Middle School enjoys country music and began her singing journey in the car with her mom. One of her favorite artists today is country music superstar, Morgan Wallen. Ailyn is currently working on specific singing skills, and hopes that her singing skills can improve as she gets to experience this amazing opportunity at All-State Choir.
“I’m trying to get my voice deeper because when I sing high notes, I am always too loud or my voice starts to crack,” said Shantery. She is hoping when given the opportunity to attend All-State Choir that she can practice that.
Audrey Aguillo is currently a fourth grader at A.J. Jordak Elementary School who also participates in soccer and basketball for the recreational department. Her favorite genre of music is techno and hopes to one day become a YouTuber. More specifically, she wants to work as an animator.
“My favorite songs are from the video game Just Shapes & Beats.”
This is a video game where the player has to avoid Shapes, move to the Beats, and then you start all over again, repeating the strategy while learning how to go with the rhythm.
“Just Shapes and Beats have really good songs,” said Aguillo.
Before this event became a reality for Shantery and Aguillo, the girls had to accomplish a large task. The audition consisted of multiple requirements. With help of second year music teacher, Alissa Mujanovic, who assisted her students by creating quality profiles. The students then had to answer questions under the “2024 OMEA All-State Children’s Chorus” application section. Next, they had to perform an arrangement of America the Beautiful in Key of C Major, and then O Music arranged by Lowell Mason – Key of F or G Major, both acapella.
This application is due in October annually. Shantery talked about what she remembered from that day.
“We had to put headphones on, one by one and each of us would get auditioned. We had to sing the song that we would hear through the headphones, that no one else could hear,” said Shantery. “I didn’t think that this would ever happen.”
From there, the music instructor would upload the recordings. Each participant would state their name and grade level before beginning their audition song. The recording cannot be edited or split up individually. Each student then pays an application fee.
The two girls will perform together in the same choir, in February, and although they attend the same school district, they will get to know each other a little bit better. Audrey began her journey at Cardinal last year where she was brand-new to the district, while Ailyn has a long history of older siblings attending Cardinal that she is familiar with the teachers and staff members.
“The only time I have seen her was in the audition room,” said Aguillo on Shantery.
Because of All-State Choir, the two girls could connect and build a friendship off of a similar experience. But, they have more in common than they think. I had asked each girl what their favorite thing is about Mrs. Mujanovic, and their answers were very similar.
“My favorite thing about Mrs. Mujanovic is that she is patient,” said Aguillo. “She has helped me learn new songs and music.”
“She’s understanding,” said Shantery, reminiscing on past classroom activities that she participated in last year with Mujanovic and her classmates.
Alissa had a chance to talk about her personal experiences with music and singing, and how it has shaped her today as a teacher.
“As a former child that attended a rural school, I experienced a lack of enriching music classes with a revolving door of music teachers,” said Mujanovic. “Frustrated from not feeling challenged or supported in my musical endeavors, it has been my goal as an educator to provide rural students with the experiences that my education lacked. Where a child lives should not impact the effectiveness or meaningfulness of their education.”
Her lack of experience as a child has not held her back as a teacher now and the experiences she provides for her students. She has also established a Huskie Choir – which is a group of 3rd and 4th grade students that participate in afterschool singing lessons. They look to perform a couple concerts each school year. This leisure activity is great for students at the elementary level as they do not generally get music experience until middle school where they are provided with choir and concert band.
Neither girl has been to Columbus, but are both super eager to get this journey started.
