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By: Avery Donnellon and Vanessa Buechler
Not only has Puthenkalam qualified for All-state choir every year of his high school career, he was recently accepted into the even more prestigious All-Eastern Choir, encompassing 11 states and Washington, D.C. “He is my first student in 25 years of teaching that has made All-Eastern,” said choir director Chistopher Fox, who will accompany Puthenkalam to the performance in Hartford, Conn. from April 24-27. “He’s done All-State for four years and it’s really legit, but now we reach the big show for All-Eastern.” Puthenkalam said he is looking forward to performing at the showcase. Despite having to learn six new and challenging pieces, including several worship songs and a German number, Puthenkalam said he has a positive outlook. “What has always excited me most about choir is discovering new harmonies and handling the challenges that come through learning new pieces,” Puthenkalam said. “But I’m most looking forward to singing with a well known conductor at All-Eastern and the best singers in the eastern division,” Puthenkalam said. That well known conductor is Anton Armstrong, legendary conductor of the St. Olaf College choir in Minnesota in Minnesota, one of the most esteemed a cappella groups in the country. Considering its prestige, being accepted to All-Eastern choir is one of the most impressive accomplishments a singer can achieve in high school. According to the Maryland Music Educators Association, to be considered, students must have participated in the Maryland All State Ensembles the previous year as 10th or 11th graders and can apply if they meet all eligibility requirements. Students may then be nominated by their state’s music educators association and asked to complete an application. Students selected for All-Eastern participate in a series of rehearsals and a final performance. Puthenkalam reached All-State level all four years at Glenelg, receiving a high score for his auditions, which enabled him to become the only Glenelg choir student to reach All-Eastern in at least the last 25 years. But, as it is with most musicians, Puthenkalam’s journey in music began long before high school. “I knew choir was something I was good at when I was in middle school,” Puthenkalam said. “I knew it was my passion because I love being able to sing with others and learn different types of pieces that create beautiful sounds.” While singing is obviously one of Puthenkalam’s passions, along with volleyball at his church and reading comic books, his love for singing serves another purpose. “I do get a little socially anxious, but singing kind of helps relieve that,” Puthenkalam said. “When I go on stage, I’m nervous, but I’m also so used to it that I don’t get as nervous anymore.” Although he’s reaching the end of his high school career, Puthenkalam doesn’t want to let go of the passion for music he’s held since elementary school. He said he wants to keep it with him, and potentially try voice acting in the future as a way to sing, act, and have a little fun, even though singing isn’t his main goal for the rest of his life. Once he graduates, Puthenkalam plans to attend the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) and major in mechanical engineering, eventually gearing the major towards his interests in aerospace engineering, in particular. However, Puthenkalam doesn’t want to let music fade from his life. “I want to see music in my future through joining a choir or other choral organizations and performing with well known conductors,” Puthenkalam said. “I’m excited to see music as something I can do alongside whatever I do in the future whether it be a job or school.” Puthenkalam’s performance at the end of April could certainly go a long way in helping him establish his future goals.
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