The choir and band perform two major concerts a year: one in the winter that contains a majority of holiday songs; and one in the spring that has more up-beat and lively songs.This year, the choir sang songs from State Contest and from the class the choir took with Dr. Raymond Wise. Mrs. Rugg-Klapheke, choir director, commented on the experience: “He taught us two new songs and we will be singing those pieces at our concert.”
Soloists included seniors Morgan Meyers, Gwen Dreyer, Ashley Merino and Andrew Protopapas; along with sophomores Rachel Safer and Ali Butterworth.
The Spring Choir/Band concert can be described as “a dedication to the seniors and a fun, up-beat performance that everyone will enjoy,” notes Sara Katula, current junior. Sara has performed with the choir since freshman year and notes that “the spring concert is my favorite performance we do the whole year!”The Band also performed and has definitely grown since previous years. “We are 25 members strong,” says band director Karen Leigh, who joined the WCHS staff in 2007; at that time, only 3 students had signed up for band. As she prepared for the concert, Miss Leigh noted that “the audience will hear us perform challenging fanfares, Celtic ballads, and well-loved songs from The Phantom of the Opera.”
Much like the choir, the band also has a new addition to the music department: the Jazz Band, which includes freshman Chris Bradley; sophomores Michael Brammer and David Feusse; juniors Zach Hartzell, R.J. Murray, Chris Rivers, Tim Webb, and A.J. Whitt. The Jazz Band also had help from WCHS librarian Mr. Stoll who played the drums. “This is the debut performance of our outstanding Jazz Band,” noted Miss Leigh: “The band will be performing ‘Sweet Georgia Brown’ and will bring a new level of talent to our show.”
Junior Tim Webb commented on what he looked forward to at the concert, saying: “I’m looking forward to showing how hard the band has been working and how good we’ve gotten.”Mr. Stoll commented on his experience, saying “It was a pleasure and honor playing with these guys; they’re really talented!”
Show choir also performed: this was their first Spring Concert. We first experienced the Show Choir at this year’s Winter Concert; and they just recently preformed at this year’s Educating for Eternity Silent Auction.
Chorale, Varsity Ensemble, Scarlet Ensemble, and Gold Ensemble also performed.
The choir closed the show with a “reunion,” so to speak, when they invited past choir alumni up to the stage to participate in the final song, ‘The Lord Bless You and Keep You,’ which they sing every year.“The Lord Bless You and Keep You” is also the song that the seniors will sing at their graduation: “[Their graduation performance] will be their last performance here at WCHS” notes Mrs. Rugg-Klapheke.
The Spring Choir/Band concert is always a memorable way to end the school year, so Miss Leigh certainly lived up to her prediction: “Come and enjoy a great evening of music and entertainment!”
