Fall Choir Concert Moves to Orthwein Theatre on MICDS Campus

Performances by four distinct choirs were recently enjoyed at the Mary Institute and Country Day School’s 2011 Fall Choir Concert. For many years the fall concert was held in the Mary Eliot Chapel. This year it was moved to the Orthwein Theatre located on MICDS grounds. It was the first official school event to occur in the newly renovated theatre.

Aditya Nellore, Choir President, commented in his opening remarks about the change in venue, “When Mr. Self told me that we were going to be here in Othwein this year, I was so surprised that I actually thought he was kidding at first. Although it’s a little bit strange being here instead of Mary Eliot, it’s also very exciting.”

The choir program has seen some other changes that are new this year.  While the Bella Voce Women’s Choir and the Chamber Choir remain the same, the mixed Concert Choir was split into two separate choirs, the Concert Women’s Choir and the Men’s Choir. Each consisting of freshman debuted at the concert.

In his speech, Nellore teased about the tuxes worn by the newly formed Men’s Choir. Nellore said, “I am extremely jealous. When I was in Concert Choir, we had to wear these blue blazers, little red ties and Khakis.”

New to teaching choir in the MICDS Upper School, is Jason Roberts. Returning from last year to teach choir is Dana Self. When Roberts was asked how he likes his new position, he said, “It is fun. We (Roberts and Self) have been best friends for ten years. It is great working with your best friend everyday.”

The concert began with the Concert Women’s Choir followed by the Men’s Choir, followed by the Belle Voce Women’s Choir and final performances were by the Chamber Choir.

Pianist, Kathleen Wagner, a senior, at Lindenwood University accompanied all four choirs.

The choirs performed a variety of songs that showcased a broad sampling of music written by composers of classical music as well as more contemporary music. The Mouse Madrigal, sang by the Concert Women’s Choir, was a lighthearted, but complex arrangement of Three Blind Mice.

While the comical lyrics of Lydia the Tattooed Lady entertained as the Men’s choir swayed and “saluted” to the “tattooed lady”, the jubilant sound of Psalm 100 by the Bella Voce Women’s Choir lightened the mood. 

The Chamber Choir, made up of upperclassmen and a few sophomores, performed Lambscapes which is three different arrangements of Mary Had a Little Lamb in the styles of three great composers. This fun, tongue-in-cheek compilation was pattered after the Gregorian chant, and composers, Handel, and Schubert.

Roberts talked about Lambscapes. “It was a good opportunity for them (the students) to learn a little music history along with learning the musical notes,” Roberts said.

Jackson Myer and John Coulter performed a duet of lamb sounds interjected in the Lambscapes piece patterned after the style of Handel.

Roberts said, “The kids were hooked when they heard lamb baa’s.”

The choir is made up of boys and girls who play any given sport, football, basketball, volleyball, baseball and soccer as well as members of student council who are class leaders.

Roberts said, “Most schools are begging boys to join choir, but here in the past, we have had more boys than girls. Choir is a cool thing. We even have the captain of the football team (in the choir). And we get the crème of the crop.”

The fall concert is normally given toward the end of October, but because of conflicts with sports and other school activities, it was moved up. With only six week in which to learn and rehearse the music, the choirs worked very hard to put on a top-notch performance.

Self said, “They set the bar high. It has to be even better for the Christmas show and even better for the spring show. They will take it to the next level.”

The Chamber Choir took it to the next level last year when they were invited to New York City to perform with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra at the Lincoln Center and on the Today show. This prestigious honor is by invitation only and is bestowed to only a select few choirs that have built a reputation for having a strong program of talented voices. Last year there were about seven.

All four choirs have already begun learning new music for the next show, the Masterworks Concert, which will include ten different pieces from ten different major works. The choirs will be accompanied by a professional orchestra made up of union musicians. The concert is scheduled for December 8, at 7 p.m. at the Mary Elliot Chapel. Music selections are from some of the best choral works written within the last 300-400 years.