The MHS Choral Art Society ended the year with their annual winter concert on December 19th at the Jenkins Auditorium. The program was led by Choir teacher, Todd Cole, with Cindy Horsman McKeen on the piano.
The program showed six different groups that performed. The night began with the Concert Choir singing “Silent Night.” Followed by the Mixed Chorus with a series of songs. Freshman Alyssa Littlejohn described her first concert as “an amazing experience.” Her choir group is composed of two upperclassmen and freshmen but “[it was] really nice working with them… and to learn about the other choirs.”
She “[did not] realize how full the audience was [going to] be, even though [they] were told it [was] a very popular concert.” Littlejohn said that “it was a lot of work preparing but it was for a good reason.” She said that as a freshman, “it took a little getting used to” in the beginning but later, the group was able to create a strong bond. Littlejohn is looking to improve and see how far they have gotten once the spring concert comes around.
Junior Melissa Tan joined the Madrigals this year and states that “it was the most memorable” part of the show for her. Tan said that preparing for the show “was really stressful for all the students and [Cole], especially.” She recalls his desire to wanting the show to be perfect for the audience. Tan was trying to be expressive in her performance with facial expressions, as this was a critique she was given.
Senior Eva Federico experienced her very last winter concert as a student. She described the moment as “bittersweet for it to all come to an end” but also happy to see the new leaders and thankful for the four years she has spent with the Choral Art Society. The most memorable part of her night was during “O Holy Night” when the alumni come up on stage and join the chorus. Federico said, “[It is] always nice that people care enough to come back,” and appreciate the legacy that Cole has built.
The concert choir began learning the songs in early September and have practiced since then for the show. Federico explained how there were communication problems but they had a very understanding and hardworking group of students who “[were] all there to make some beautiful music.”
With the winter concert over, the students will be preparing for their spring concert and competition for MICCA.
