By Chelsea Vance
The Selma Times-Journal

Founder of the Genius Discovery Academy, William Maxwell, and others will hold auditions this week in hopes of finding at least 30 children to make up the Selma Children’s Chorus and Orchestra. 

There will be two opportunities for parents to bring their musically inclined children to audition: Monday, Jan. 18 and Saturday, Jan. 23.

Children from ages three to 10 can audition Monday from 9 a.m. to noon at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at 210 Lauderdale St. in Selma. Ages 11 to 15 can audition from 2-5 p.m. at Brown Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church at 410 Martin Luther King St. in Selma.

The locations will be switched Saturday. The 9 a.m. to noon auditions will be held at Brown Chapel and the 2-5 p.m. auditions will be held at St. Paul’s.

Children who are three to 10 are expected to pay a registration fee of $20. Fees are $35 for those who are 11 to 15.

Children should be accompanied with an adult and be prepared to sing or play musical instruments.

Maxwell believes that there is much talent in the city of Selma.

The Genius Discovery Academy was founded in Arizona in 1993. Another academy was later opened in Montana, now Maxwell believes that the Holy Spirit has guided him to start an academy in Selma.

“Every successful person almost has music in his or her background. There is much research that proves that point,” Maxwell said.

“Selma has been chosen by God to demonstrate to the world that it is children who will teach us how to be human.”

Children will not have to attend the academy to be a part of the chorus and orchestra. Five professors and teachers of music will serve as judges and decide who makes the cut to be members.

For more information, visit the website at www.geniusdiscoveryacademy.org.