Clover Hill’s Choir kicked off the school year with a Fall concert this past Wednesday to much fanfare.
Cavalier Choir, Iridescence, Acropolis and New Dimensions each performed several fall themed songs. With styles ranging from choral staples to religious music, the students have worked on this music since August. Senior Meera Del Favero, a singer in several choirs, and fellow choir members had several hurdles to overcome before the concert.
“We [did] solfège [for] each piece in class to make sure each [section] is singing the correct notes,” said Del Favero. Solfege is a way of learning songs by assigning syllables to each note in a scale. “We spent loads of time in class, adjusting and fixing dynamics, tone and volume for each part.”
The first group on stage was Cavalier Choir, Clover Hill’s entry level choir, who performed “Something Told the Wild Geese” by Sherri Porterfield and “Riversong” by Andy Beck. Full of zeal, Cavalier Choir finished with a cover of Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September,” arranged by Mark Brymer.
Next that night was the unisex show choir group, Iridescence. Despite being a choir of only Sopranos and Altos (the two female vocal parts), Iridescence produced a full sound with standout blending by using proper tone and balancing the volume between sections. The only trouble song was “Stars I Shall Find”, where the singer’s breathing made the song sound choppy. They performed “Stars I Shall Find” by Audrey Snyder, “Autumn” by Andy Beck and “Witness” arranged by Kirby Shaw.
Acropolis, Clover Hill’s highest choir and a chamber choir, a form of small choir that specializes in classical and religious music, followed Iridescence. The group sang “O Bella Fusa” arranged by Maynard Klein, “The Gift To Be Simple” arranged by Andy Beck and “Address to the Moon” by John Purifoy. The difference of male voices from Iridescence to Acropolis was apparent in the greater depth of each song.
Closing out the concert was New Dimensions, Clover Hill’s award winning and nationally acclaimed choir, the flagship of the choral program. New Dimensions sang “Hark, I Hear the Harps Eternal” arranged by Alice Parker and “Prayer” by Rene Clausen. Despite balance problems between the tenors and the rest of the choir, New Dimensions put on a splendid performance.
“I thought “Prayer” sounded the best,” said junior Everett Aileo. “The basses had a strong part. It’s a very nice piece.”
With the first choir concert of the year done, Del Favero eagerly awaits the program’s future events.
“Both show choirs are very excited for competition season,” said Del Favero. “The program has some great things happening in the near future!”
One event quickly approaching is assessments, where groups in the performing arts department are graded for their musical performance. Judges at assessments look for tone quality, sight reading aptitude and intra-ensemble balance.
“Acropolis will go on to assessments,” said Choir Director Nicole Whitby. ”And hopes to help reinstate Clover Hill’s Blue Ribbon status,”
