The first choir concert of the year took place on Monday October 20. The two middle school choirs and single high school choir performed three songs each over the span of about an hour, displaying the culmination of their month and a half of practice time.
After the singers’ family and their community alike gathered in the auditorium, choir director Anna Broring opened the evening by introducing the chamber choir, an auditioned selection of choir members that holds extra practices. The group then performed a rendition of The Star Spangled Banner.
Following that, both middle school choirs (6th grade and 7th/8th grade) delivered their performances to a captivated audience. Afterwards, the largest of the three choirs, the high school concert choir, demonstrated their three pieces: “Ngothando,” an African poetry song with an onstage percussion element, “Hold Fast to Dreams,” and “Dance!,” thereby concluding the showcase.
To the delight of spectators, the choir displayed their talent in full and seemed to operate seamlessly, as if they were members of a professional group. The chorus also proved their ability to exercise aptitudes in various vocal ranges, tempos, and styles of music.
While the applause and cheers of the audience were indicative of the choir’s talent, sentiment from veteran singers strengthens the story. Senior chamber choir member and bass section leader Torin Strecker expressed optimism for a choir program recovering from a faculty shake-up a few years ago. “I think the choir has a lot of potential,” Strecker commented, adding that Broring’s decisions for the choir and chamber choir reflect a positive “new direction” for the activity.
Director Broring shared Strecker’s enthusiasm for the remainder of the choir’s year. “…the choirs made great strides…before the concert,” Broring reflected, also saying that the larger choir has “a lot of talent” among its singers. Broring emphasized the potential of her choirs and said she looks forward to seeing their accomplishments in the 2025-2026 school year.
