Fly Away with the Music

Oct. 21 all choirs gathered for their first concert of the year.

Photo by Richard Burns

Beginning the choir concert with the extracurricular jazz choir who was singing the upbeat pop songs and ending on a honorary note with paying tribute to teachers during “Fly”, the concert was a musical start to the 2021-2022 school year. The choir welcomed back director Danya Roller who previously worked as an assistant. The students had less time to rehearse for the concert, but this didn’t change anything in the minds of the choir members who weren’t concerned about their performance.

“We had really been on stage only twice for the concert,” sophomore and Voces choir member Katie Harris said. “But I think we did pretty well.”

Nanette Kraus, the accompanist for the choirs, believed that everyone sang their parts really well during the concert.

“All the choirs performed at a high level and as best they could do with the time we had to rehearse,” Kraus said.

One week would determine everything. Diction, notes, beats and site reading. The National Organization for Music Education NOME for short, believes this more than anyone.

Photo by Richard Burns

“They need to sound good as a group,” NOME member Regina Carlow said. “Individual members need to know they are part of something important.”

During the performance, the choir also did a few special songs such as “Fly” and “90’s Mashup” that turned out to be favorites among the choir.

“Probably my favorite song we had ensemble perform was our last number titled Fly,” Roller said. “It just gave us the opportunity to honor teachers that have impacted each of our students.”

Probably my favorite song we had ensemble perform was our last number titled Fly. It just gave us the opportunity to honor teachers that have impacted each of our students.

— Roller

This song was sung while in the background video’s played of both students and teachers holding up white boards listening to the teacher’s who made an impact on students. The song “90’s Mashup” by concert and jazz choir senior student Patrick Sheeley, was another song that the students sang.

“I am a little biased because of a 90’s mashup,” Sheeley said. “It was really fun to perform my song on stage.”

Alumni and parents wait to see what returning choir teacher Roller will direct for us next on Dec. 13 at 7:00 pm held at the new PAC. Tickets are free unless you want a front row seat which costs five dollars online.