On Oct. 24 the State College Area High School Choirs performed their fall choir concert, the year’s first concert. Ensembles include 9th Grade choir, Cecilian Singers, OMA, Treble Makers, Chamber Singers, and Master Singers. Erik Clayton directs all ensembles.
The concert opened with a harmonic piece from the 9th Grade choir called “Skye Boat Song” by Tom Higgenson, arr. Andy Beck. This piece featured Esten DeForest and Claire Campbell as soloists. Then, the upper voices of the choir performed a composition of the musical theater piece “What is This Feeling” from “Wicked” By Steven Schwartz. Next, the lower voices performed an arrangement of the classic song “Hey There Delilah” by Tom Higgenson, arr. Andy Beck. Lastly, the 9th graders performed the piece “Make Them Hear You” by Ahrens and Flaherty from the musical “Ragtime” with solos from Emma Larrabee and David Hallman.
The next choir to perform was the Cecilian Singers, which is composed of upper voices only. The ensemble performed many harmonic and melodic songs such as “Where the Light Begins” by Susan LaBarr, then “Things That Never Die” by Lee Dengler and the choir closed with “Still I Rise” by Rosephanye Powell. “Still I Rise” featured various soloists.
“’Still I Rise’ is my favorite piece that we are singing right now. It’s a really gorgeous song,” sophomore Cecilian Singer Chloe Cardinale said.
Next up was OMA, a lower voices group. The group first performed a traditional South African piece called “Tshotsholoza” arr. Jefferey Ames.
“’Tshotsholoza’ was definitely my favorite piece,” senior OMA singer Riley Ahlkvist said.
Then, the group sang a harmonic medley “The Pasture” by Randall Thompson, followed by the upbeat 1930’s classic “Leaning On A Lamppost” by Noel Gray, arr. John Leavitt.
After OMA, a combination of Treble Makers and Chamber Singers upper voices performed an arrangement of the 1950s hit “Mr. Sandman” by The Chordettes.
Treble Makers and Chamber Singers lower voices sang a composition of “Kiss The Girl” from the classic Disney movie “The Little Mermaid” (by Ashman and Menken, arr. Kirby Shaw).
The last ensemble to perform was Master Singers, an advanced audition group and first-place winner of last year’s music adjudication in Hershey. Master Singers began with “Crucifixus” from “Mass in F Major” by Antonio Lotti.
“I really loved singing ‘Crucifixus,’” senior Master Singer Jenny Heim said. “I think we performed the piece very well.”
Then, the group performed “Tu Es Petrus” by Giovanni, followed by the traditional Irish piece “Johnny, I hardly knew ye.” Next, the group sang “Shenandoah” arr. By James Erb, a traditional American piece. The group closed with a performance of “Miniyama Nayo” by Paul John Rudoi.
State High choir groups noted the positive community choir fosters.
“One of our biggest strengths is community building which creates a really awesome environment,” Heim said.
Adriana Szucs, a sophomore new to choir, explained her view of the choir community.
“Joining choir everyone has been super welcoming, overall it’s just a really positive experience,” Szucs said.
Join the State High choirs for their next concert on Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m. The Winter Pops concert will feature all choirs and many holiday tunes.
