Bensalem High School vocalists stand out in competitive auditions against Bucks County peers
The Bensalem High School music program is starting 2026 on a high note. Following a series of competitive auditions, 21 local students have been selected to represent the township in two major regional choral festivals early next year.
According to an announcement from the Bensalem Township School District, 16 students secured spots in the Bucks County Music Educators Association (BCMEA) Chorus, while five students earned placement in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District 11 Chorus. These selections place these students among the top vocalists in the region.
The selection process for these ensembles is rigorous. Students must audition against peers from high schools across both Bucks and Montgomery counties.
For the BCMEA Chorus, sixteen Bensalem students will take the stage at the festival scheduled for March 2026.
The roster includes:
Sopranos: Janylah Gilbert, Blakely Newton, Desire Roman McConnell, Brielle Stroter, Sierra Thomas
Altos: Lucy Allen, Fae Bondie, Emma Harper, Skyla Hilliard
Tenors: Jacob Ashford, Tobi Holliday, Will Margerum, Jovan Urban
Basses: Noah Eckert, Steven Klemovitch, Thomas Gunnip
Additionally, five students stood out among over 330 applicants to make the PMEA District 11 Chorus. This festival is set for early February 2026.
The students representing Bensalem include:
Janylah Gilbert (Soprano, ranked #5)
Julianna Parker (Alto)
Jacob Ashford (Tenor, ranked #5)
Tobi Holliday (Tenor)
Thomas Gunnip (Bass)
Why It Matters to Bensalem
Beyond the trophies and accolades, these selections highlight the strength of the arts education curriculum right here in Bensalem. When our students secure high rankings against top talent from wealthy neighboring districts in Bucks and Montgomery counties, it validates the hard work of our local music educators and the tax dollars invested in these programs. For the families of these 21 students, it is a moment of well-earned pride to see their children representing our community on a regional stage.
Source Information in this report was sourced from the Bensalem Township School District.
