Photo Cred: Charli Johnson
Students and visitors inside the Duke Chapel
Stained glass, intricate with details and vivid colors are part of the architectural beauty of Duke Chapel. When people arrive at the university landmark, they gaze up at large stones, their eyes held in awe at the high pointed arch. Though that isn’t the only beauty that awaits at the Duke Chapel.
The Duke Chapel regularly hosts its own choir in addition to other choral groups as part of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) conference. Watauga’s Treble Choir, directed by Mr. Winbush, headed to Durham this past Friday. Previously, the choir had gone to MPA (Music Professional Adjudications), First Presbyterian Church of Boone, and at the Watauga Women in Leadership Gala.
“Last year, when Treble Choir was half the size that it is now, we went to multiple different elementary schools around Watauga County and performed for the kids,” said Kayla Graham, junior. “When we perform at Duke Chapel, there will be a lot more people watching, a lot more people singing, and the building will be a lot more acoustic!”
Unlike some of the previous performances, the ACDA conference was audition-based and required a great amount of preparation leading up to the event.
“I started preparing in July, when Mr. Winbush gave us our sheet music and recordings to practice with. When I wasn't on vacation, I would spend about an hour each day working on the three pieces, so I could get the notes, words and dynamics down,” said senior Zea Marty. “Then, when we got to class, we learned two other pieces and improved on our current pieces, including learning about what the pieces mean and how to put that meaning into our music.”
Sitting in the audience were music directors, choir members, and composers coming from all over the states. While in the chancel, the choir sang five songs: “Rise, My Soul” by Susan Labarr, “Kyrie from Mass No. 6” by György Orbán, “Carry the Music” by Sarah Quartel, “Dayung Sampan” arranged by Darius Lim, and “This Little Light of Mine” arranged by Robert T Gibson.
“The songs that we are singing communicate power, love, and the importance of music bringing people together,” said Graham.
Mr. Winbush intentionally created a setlist comprised of many “colors”, an expression used to describe the emotions and story line that a piece of music seeks to convey to the audience. In this case, they were going to share their music to a completely unfamiliar audience and environment.
“Getting to perform in front of an audience not local to Boone is always exciting, and I feel like I'm bringing the beautiful sound and commitment of WHS to others,” said Hannah Lutz, senior and Treble Choir President.
Though there was some apprehension surrounding the event, there were also enthusiastic vocalists, eager to take advantage of the opportunity to exchange stories and listen to the talent of the other choirs.
“I feel the most valuable experience was hearing the other choirs. When you are performing you are leading the audience through a story but it is not just what the composer wrote it is the interpretation of what was written,” said Cadence Saner, senior. “The other choirs had a beautiful way of expressing the colors and leading us through each piece. I think it is imperative that you hear and see other choirs perform because it helps you grow.”
This year has just begun and yet, the ambition and commitment that floats around Mr. Wimbush’s classroom shows for an amazing musical year and upcoming concerts.
“The highlight of the event was walking in front of everyone to perform, and looking into the crowd and seeing each chair full,” said Sydney Marsh, sophomore. “It was amazing to see everyone’s support but also scary because of the amount of people.”
The choirs performed beautifully last Friday, each showing a profound understanding of what it takes to make an ensemble move in a way that incites a spur of inspiration throughout the crowd. It was an experience, not only for those listening but for the Treble Choir as well.
“Hearing my choir's combined voice echo back to me in such a timeless place of reverence brought a sense of humility I've never felt before. Even more than that was the opportunity to hear other choirs, who were just as passionate as WHS Treble Choir about connecting people through music, experience the same phenomenon,” said Lutz. “All the tireless preparation that went into this was so worth it, and I'm so glad especially that the underclassmen in our choir were able to see how other different ensembles are able to interpret music and breathe life into each piece.”
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