The Upper School Choir performed at Chapelwood United Methodist Church, presenting a well-rounded and diverse musical program on Sunday, Nov. 3.
The choir, directed by Mr. Charles Harrison and accompanied by staff pianist Mr. Jonathan Craft, was composed of 39 singers, 20 of whom also perform in Encore, the school’s audition-based vocal ensemble.
The title for the fall choir concert was “A Choral Tapestry,” which was inspired by how the choir weaved songs together. The evening began with patriotic arrangements, including the “Star-Spangled Banner” arranged by Smith and Clark and “From Sea to Shining Sea” by Samuel Ward, setting an uplifting tone.
The eighth-grade choir also made a special appearance, performing two pieces in Italian: “Doe Dicamus Gratias” and “Does The World Say?”
The choral group Encore performed five songs, two in Italian. They were backed by a string quartet whose membership consisted of three juniors and one senior.
The concert closed with a range of pieces with Christian themes, including “The Battle of Jericho” and the “Hallelujah Chorus.” To add to the concert’s diversity like the other groups, the choir also performed a piece in Italian
Reflecting on the experience, sophomore Savannah Ross, an Encore member, shared her enthusiasm for the performance. Ross has been performing with the Upper School choir for two years.
“We had a great show,” Ross said. “We sang a variety of songs, even some in Italian, so that everyone in the audience could connect with something.”
According to the school’s website, the Upper School’s concert choir welcomes all skill levels and emphasizes vocal technique, music fundamentals, and preparation for the annual Margaret Kinkaid Holiday Concert and seasonal shows. Encore, on the other hand, is an audition-only ensemble who performs more challenging repertoire and who represents the choir program both at school and in the community.
