The Shadow Ridge High School choir just recently wrapped up it’s spring concert, ending the year on a high note, literally. The spring performance brought together months of practice and dedication. Behind this final performance, was a season full of hours spent in rehearsals and fine-tuning every detail. The students connected with their music, and it showed in every piece. After so many months of hard work, being able to share it made the whole experience worth it.
“My favorite piece was Never Let Go because it incorporated other aspects of choir other than basic singing, and I loved the climax it had along with the challenging aspects,” a junior in choir, Mackenzie Lee shared.
Getting there wasn’t always easy, it meant juggling school, life, and choir. Making space in their busy schedules to learn and go over every song and remember every detail made some days long, and some rehearsals frustrating, but the students worked through it and made it to the end of the year.
Lee continued, “The most challenging part is having to remember all of the little details of the songs, it has taught me patience and the importance of all the little details in choral pieces.”
The students learn how the small details made all the difference in how the song was heard and felt by the audience. They also learned a lot about themselves. As they grew more confident in their abilities, they averted to experiment more with their voices, learning to hold back and give more when the song needed it.
“I learned how to control my dynamics and how much to articulate my voice depending on the theme or message of the song we were singing.”
Now that the concert is behind them, the excitement hasn’t died down. If anything, it has made choir students look forward to next year even more. The spring concert might have marked the end of this school year, but for this group of amazing choir students, it is just the beginning. They have found their rhythm, their voice, and a community that supports them every step of the way.
“Lee continues, “ I am so excited to learn more challenging music, meet new people and work with them, and see where next year takes me.”
As the year wraps up, finals week panic is setting in, and students are saying goodbye to their favorite seniors, Shadow Ridge Choir is walking away with memories, skills, and lessons learned. The spring concert was a celebration of their growth, and with next year full of new challenges, they are ready to rise to the occasion once again.
