Auditions for the choir musical begin Oct. 2, according to choir and Park Singers teacher John Myszkowski.

Every three years the choirs put on a fully staged musical, with smaller performances in the in-between years, according to Myszkowski.

Myszkowski tentatively selected “Ragtime” to be the musical this year, but said that could change if it proves too difficult during auditions.

“We’ll see if they can handle it,” Myszkowski said. “It’s so specific in the voice type and ethnicity.”

Myskowski said “Ragtime” tells a rich story of struggle and understanding between three communities.

“It basically just tells the story of conflict and greater understanding between the privileged white, African American and immigrant Jewish communities.”

Sophomore Genesis Buckhalton said she believes “Ragtime” is a good choice for the choir musical this year and she enjoys the music.

“It has great songs for us, and it sounds like a great opportunity for us to do,” Buckhalton said.

Myszkowski said this will be an interesting year in choir because of a record number of students. There are 57 students in varsity choir and 96 students in concert choir.

“We have more kids in choir than ever,” Myszkowski said.

New this year, varsity choir is intended for freshmen boys and girls. Myszkowski said so many students signed up for choir this year that he needed a choir open to all freshmen students to leave room for upperclassmen to take concert choir. In the past, women’s choir was in the place where varsity choir now is.

As for Park Singers, the school’s selective audition choral group, Myszkowski said he hopes the group can succeed like last year.

“We are hoping we can get another superior [at contest] like last year,” Myszkowski said.

Upcoming choir and Park Singers events include the District Vocal Festival on Oct. 27 and the winter concert in December. Myszkowski said he is planning a choir trip to Disneyland this spring.