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By LuAnn Schindler
Publisher 

Rising Rhythm

Students sing in 75th annual honor choir

 

January 16, 2020

Tammy Bearinger

Taelyn Switzer and Madleen Reipen, of Orchard, perform with the mass choir.

It takes confidence to stand in front of a crowd and sing.

It takes even more confidence to perform songs that challenge and push you to be a better performer.

Area musicians had the opportunity to build their confidence Monday, as students from Clearwater, Ewing and Orchard choirs participated in the 75th annual Albion Choral Clinic, along with 275 students from 17 area schools.

While Ewing may be the new kids on the block - students have attended for two years - Clearwater and Orchard choir members were back for a return engagement for the 29th time.


Students from the two schools first sang in the mass choir in 1991.

No submission of audio tapes is necessary. Auditions are not required. Instead, all choral students may participate.

Clearwater instructor Sarah Kesting said clinics of this nature give students a chance to sing literature they normally wouldn't in a large choir ensemble of hundreds of students.

"The music is often harder than what they typically would work on, and they get to sing in an SATB (soprano-alto-tenor-bass) group."

Tammy Bearinger

Ewing choir members Trevor stamp, Gus Schwager, Luis Mendoza and Logan Eacker, along with Gunnar Shabram, of Orchard, wait for a cue to begin singing.

Only girls have been in the Clearwater choir for the past two years.

"For some of our kids, this is the largest group they will get the opportunity to sing in," said Orchard music director Emily Heithoff.

Instructors said it is important for students to work with clinicians who are leaders in the field.

According to Kesting, music leaders from colleges/universities or high level high school programs serve as clinicians.

"Students learn aspects of singing and making music that they may not normally get," she said.

 

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