The spring chorus concert is just on the horizon, as it will be taking place on Thursday, May 28 and will be starting at 7pm, with tickets going on sale May 14. Numerous different songs from soulful hymns to encouraging pop songs will be performed at the concert. It will not just be Green Hope students performing, as many different members of the community who are familiar with music will be joining the performance. Students’ parents, teachers and staff members who are experienced with music will perform, and in total there are about 40 people outside of the chorus program that will be participating in the concert.
In this chorus concert, many different recognizable songs will be performed as opposed to regular chorus music. Songs like “Dos Oruguitas” from Encanto, “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen, and a song from a musical called the Color Purple titled “Keep it Movin’” just to name a few. Because of the presence of many different pop culture songs, the chorus students and teachers have started to call this event a pops concert. However, since there is a lack of more traditional chorus music that is usually performed, there is a learning curve for those who are performing in the event.
The chorus teacher, Mr. Allen Botwick, stated, “I think they’re doing really well. I think that singing choir arrangements of pop music can be really challenging because it’s different from what we’ve been working on. But I feel really good about where we’re at right now with just a little over a month left to prepare for the concert.” Along with burnout and depletion of energy since the school year is nearing its end, this chorus concert is proving to be difficult evan for a seasoned teacher like Mr. Botwick. “We’re all sort of getting tired and ready for summer so I’m really working hard to encourage them to hold on and to finish the school year strong so we can have a great concert.” he said.
But despite these challenges presented, students are enjoying the hard work that they need to put into their practice.
An experienced chorus student, Brooks Barbee (‘27), shared, “We’ve done some pop songs before but not to this extent. It’s always been a mix so it is a bit of a learning curve but it’s a fun challenge and I really enjoy it.”
Many different people in Chorus rehearse daily to bring life into their music. With studying for exams fresh on everyone’s minds, it’s difficult to focus on music after school. No matter, students along with people in the Green Hope community are dedicated to their task to inspire and bring people together through music that they enjoy.
