By Mackenzie Wallace
Many people received a new found appreciation for the vocally gifted last Monday evening upon listening in on a choir concert presenting the many talented groups of Madison’s choir department.
Edie Cooksey, Madison choir teacher, explained in a brief introduction to the audience that this show would take place as a preview to what we’ll experience in future concerts. It would be the shortest and most informal show this year with each choir, casually decked out in jeans and Madison choir tee shirts, performing only one song.
“I wanted people to see where choir is at in the beginning of the year,” Cooksey stated. “And that way they can see their progress by the end of the year.”
Award winning a capella group Madison Avenue kicked off the night, harmonizing to Hot Chelle Rae’s hit “Tonight, Tonight”. The group’s skilled coordination in unified singing and dance resulted with audience applause and cheering.
“It’s [being in Mad Ave] such a rush, it’s like nothing I’ve ever been in before,” senior Laura Clendennen said. “We’ve come together through lots of practices, and when I say lots of practices, I really mean, LOTS of practice.”
Engaged audience members recognized and hummed along to a few of their favorite tunes throughout the evening, including Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon” sung by Chorale and Wicked’s “For Good” sung by Nouvelle. Varsity Men’s rendition of “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad” by John Denver also appeared as crowd favorite.
Maya Weaver, freshman, described her thoughts while performing in Melodie, the freshman girl’s choir. “I’m always concentrating on word stress and sounding in unison, but mostly I’m watching the director for cues and stuff.” Weaver went on to explain the transitional changes she’s noticed, going from participating in a middle school choir last year, to a high school choir this year. “The music is definitely more advanced. We aren’t really ‘babied’ anymore though, it’s more independent.” This is what Cooksey is looking for, wanting “to see students able to read and perform music at a high level”.
The concert was scheduled to take place following a benefit dinner set up by the booster club. The booster club sold food plates for eight dollars each and additionally hosted a bake sale in order to support the choir department.
“The booster club’s fundraiser was to offset choir department costs,” Cooksey said. “It helps with uniforms, the choir banquet, and any other expenses that aren’t covered by the district.”
You can support the choir department by attending any of their future concerts and events. The next choir concert is scheduled to take place on October 24 in the Madison Auditorium.