The Choir Department kicks into high gear at South as they prepare by practicing for upcoming concerts this December. It plans to host two concerts- the annual Madrigal Concert and a joint Collage Concert with the Band Program.
The Madrigal Concert is a medieval-themed event following a story that changes every year based around a royal court. The Collage Concert is a joint concert with the Band program where there is a seamless gap between songs.
“Madrigals is [in] a little bit of a unique position. We start preparing for that all the way back in April. Students prepare for auditions to be a part of the Madrigal Court,” said Jessica Carey, choir director. Carey has section leaders take on a very important position within the Madrigal Court as they serve to bring their section together and to improve their section as a whole.
“Starting in the summer people in Madrigal court have been practicing all of the songs, memorizing them, [and] working hard into the school year twice a week,” said Mila Aloisio, senior and Queen in Madrigal court. Alosio believes that the commitment in the madrigal court makes it easier to practice and learn their songs and script.
“Every day in study hall I practice, and then [I will] take my music home and practice in my free time,” said Joseph Angelos, a senior and a member of Madrigal Court and Concert Choir as well as a member of Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, and Pep Band. The people within Madrigal Court and Choir are extremely dedicated to the Music Department. They participate in many things that take up a lot of time.
“Our biggest problem [that] we face with Collage is making sure kids have enough time to get from one place to the next. You will find that a lot of our students are heavily involved in these ensembles. Whether they are singing in multiple choirs, playing in multiple bands, [or] we have our band chamber groups [we are] always trying to make sure that students have enough time to get across the auditorium without anyone in the audience knowing,” Carey said. The Collage Concert is a large production that takes a large amount of time to refine and review. Every choir within the Choir Department has a large role in the Concert. People within the choir practice and refine their music in many ways.
“I talk about it with friends just to double check what I think is right, [like] pronunciation, notes, [or] dynamics,” said Alyssa Mcfarlin sophomore in Bell Canto. As both the Collage Concert and Madrigal Concert come closer preparations and rehearsals have increased. The extra refining makes Mcfarlin feel very confident about the Collage Concert.
“We really enjoy singing, so if we really enjoy it [we are] going to do well. [We are] very confident, and [are] going to present it in a way that shows that,” said Mcfarlin. The concerts take a lot of time to prepare, and Angelos believes that it’s important to take time to practice his over 27 different songs for the Madrigal Concert.
“Everyone works so hard to the point where at the end of the day all the hard work is worth it,” Alosio said.This year the concert will be hosted on Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. and Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. Tickets will be 10 dollars or 5 dollars with a school ID.
