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Stadium Drive chorus performs
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The joy was evident on the faces of Kareem Hamdan (left), Delaney LaBelle, and Sophia McGee as they sang during the April 11 chorus concert.
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The Stadium Drive students mimed playing clarinets and trumpets during their rendition of “Alexander’s Ragtime Band.”
By SARAH FOOR
Stadium Drive’s spring chorus concert changes a bit every year. Sometimes, music teacher Wendy Crist provides a program with a specific theme. Other times, like during the April 11 concert, the songs are from everywhere, whether that is a Top 40 radio station or a respected modern composer.
“The inspiration for songs always comes from the kids,” Crist said. “Instead of a theme this year, I chose songs that the kids really shined in and enjoyed.”
The wide selection of songs began with “Seasons of Love,” a song from the Broadway play Rent, and followed with many songs welcoming the spring season and celebrating music. The students danced and played imaginary instruments as they sang Irving Berlin’s “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” and brought their strong voices to the Journey hit, “Don’t Stop Believin’.”
The chorus, consisting of elective students primarily in fourth grade, tested their voices in many different ways during the program. The chorus performed a song acapella, letting their voices alone shine, and also conquered many rhythm changes and complicated harmonies.
“With this group, I continued to challenge them and they just kept succeeding,” Crist said of her singers. “It’s a very hardworking group.”
However, Crist found the greatest success of the concert was that her students had fun.
“I went up to my students after we finished and asked, ‘Where did all of you come from?’ My mantra before we perform is to match, listen, and have fun, but that doesn’t mean they always do it. Tonight, they had an absolute blast, and it really came through.”