Hempfield senior will be sole Southwestern Pa. singer in 2023 state jazz ensemble

Since she was 2 years old, Cecilia Henderson loved to sing.

The Hempfield senior has brought her musical talents to church choirs, school ensembles and musical productions.

Now, she’ll travel to the Pocono Mountains as one of 23 students in the state selected to sing in the vocal jazz ensemble at the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association All-State Festival this spring.

Henderson is the only student participant from Southwestern Pennsylvania in this year’s ensemble. She is the first Hempfield student to qualify in four years.

“I’m definitely looking forward to getting the chance to perform in a prestigious ensemble like that,” Henderson said.

To audition for the ensemble, Henderson had to prepare two songs, two scales and a scat improvisation solo. Despite thousands of students vying for a spot in the group, Hempfield vocal music director David Emanuelson was confident that Henderson was a good fit for it.

“She’s got a voice for jazz,” Emanuelson said. “(The PMEA judges said) her tone just fits so well for the style. It just sounds very natural.”

Vocal jazz is a difficult discipline, Emanuelson said. In the state ensemble, Henderson will learn more about jazz techniques and harmony, which are “more interesting and more difficult” than classical techniques and harmony, in the director’s view.

In addition to singing, Henderson plays the guitar and writes songs. After she graduates in June, she hopes to pursue music in some capacity during college.

“It’s a really big part of my life,” she said.

This year’s All-State Festival will take place April 21 and 22 at Pocono Mountain West High School. Tickets for the concerts are $20 for adults and $15 for children, and can be purchased on PMEA’s website.

Henderson will perform April 21.

“Cecilia always makes us proud,” Emanuelson said. “I’m so happy she gets this opportunity.”