The Milton School Choral groups gave rousing performances last night in one of three concerts to be held this month as part of the “Music in Our Schools Month” celebration.
The Pierce Middle School 6th Grade Chorus kicked things off, appropriately enough, with “Let There Be Song”. And was there ever. The singing barely stopped for the next hour and a half. The singing continued even in between choral acts. In an innovative bit of programming, members of the ensembles, sprinkled about the audience, sang Disney songs during the transition from one group to the next. The audience was encouraged to sing along with the lyrics to such favorites as “Whistle While You Work”(Snow White), “Under the Sea” (The Little Mermaid),Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Bo” ( Cinderella), included in the program.
Ms Sykes and the Pierce Middle School Honors Chorus
The program featured 11 different choral groups. They were: the Pierce 6th Grade Chorus, the Pierce 7th & 8th Grade Chorus, the Pierce Boy’s Before School Singers, The Pierce Girl’s Before School Singers, the Pierce Honors Chorus, the MHS Afterschool Girls Singers, the MHS Afterschool Boys Group, the MHS Afterschool Gospel Choir, the MHS Afterschool Singers, the MHS Mixed Chorus, and the MHS Girls Chorus. Whew . . .it’s a lot and a strong statement about the popularity of the program and the importance it has to these students.
In an evening full of talent, there were a couple of highlights. The Pierce Honors Chorus, sang a spectacular “Cantate Domino” which demonstrated their range and discipline. The MHS Gospel Choir’s version of “Oh,Happy Day,” featuring solos by Lauren Stafford and Marline Alexis, brought many of the audience to their feet. And then there was theMHS Mixed Chorus singing a beautiful “Exultate Justi in Domino.”
The evening concluded with the combined Choruses Grades 6-12, all 150+ of them, singing “A Whole New World” from Aladdin. It was a fitting close to a great night of music.
Her face says it all
Leading all of this were Dr. Noreen Burdett, MHS Chorus Director, and Ms. Dawn Sykes, Pierce Middle School Chorus Director. MHS faculty member Mr. Gary Goode was the accompanist on piano.
The next concert will be on Wednesday, March 11th, and feature the String ensembles. Do yourself a favor . . . Go!!
If you are interested in learning more about music in our schools, please check out the “Friends and Advocates of Music” web site. F.A.M.E. “welcomes and encourages participation by parents of students at all levels of music education, parents of former music students, or anyone in the community.”