ERHS choirs receive high scores at festival

Written by: Jessica Allen '13

On February 22^nd, the Eaton Rapids choirs participated in the Choir festival at Holt High School. This year, our Chamber Choir and Sweet Harmony attended. The choirs go to two festivals every year. The most recent one is districts.

This year was Mr. Gailey’s first year taking a choir to a festival, and he didn’t know what to expect as far as scores and nerves. He says, “I knew the kids were prepared and that they would step up and have a great performance. They did and I am so proud of them.”

Chamber choir received an eight, eight, and six in the singing category and received a superior overall from all three judges. In the sight reading category they received a thirteen and excellent overall. Sweet Harmony received a nine, thirteen, and ten in the singing category as well as an excellent overall from all three judges. They earned a ten in sight reading with an excellent overall. With their high scores, both choirs qualified for and will be attending the state festival in early May.

Chamber choir opened their performance with "God is Seen" by Alice Parker and closed with "Hosanna in Excelsis" by Brent Pierce. Sweet Harmony opened with "Beau Soir" by Linda Spevacek and closed with "God Be in My Head" by John Rutter.

By Mr. Gailey’s standards, each choir’s performance of the four selections was the best they had performed yet. “They took the adrenaline of performing on stage in front of an audience, and used it to create wonderful music,” says Gailey.

What is the best part about a great performance? The reward that follows. Mr. Gailey promised the Chamber Choir that if they got first divisions he would bring them in breakfast, and he followed through on his promise. The next morning was spent eating breakfast casserole, muffins, and fruit salad in the choir room while going over scores.

            Mr. Gailey said, “While everyone in the groups performed well, I feel like I should give some extra love to all the wonderful seniors I have in both groups. They have been leaders from the beginning of the year, and their experience and musicality really showed at festival. Without them the ride to get there would not have been nearly as fun.”

            We are proud of our Greyhounds and wish them luck at state festival in early May!