chambersingers

The Canton Middle School Chamber Singers recently wrapped up a busy and rewarding holiday performance season with several major events within the span of a week. As 8th grade alto Sydney Lyles said, performing around holiday time for the CMS Chamber Singers can be “Pretty exhausting, but still fun!”

The CMS Chamber Singers group is a 42-voice choir consisting of 7th and 8th grade students who have passed a series of special qualifying auditions. They study varying vocal styles including classical, musical theatre, folk songs, spirituals, multicultural, gospel, jazz, and more. These students are quite often among the leaders within the school. Most participate in not just Chamber Singers but also in various clubs, athletics, and student service organizations. They have been recognized at the state level for musical excellence, consistently receiving superior ratings at festivals, as well as receiving special invitations to audition for such events as the NC Music Educators Association annual conference.

On Friday, December 12, these students performed as part of the 230+ voice CMS Chorus at their annual Christmas Concert. This was held at Canton First Baptist Church, which stepped in graciously to host when the original concert date – earlier in the week at Haywood Community College – was canceled due to an unexpected snow storm. Two days later, on Sunday, December 14, four students from the Chamber Singers also participated as guest musicians with the adult Sanctuary Choir in the annual Cantata at Canton First Baptist Church.

For many of the Chamber Singers, being so deeply involved in the group is a treasured chance to bond and make lasting memories. Alayna Blaylock, 8th grade alto, said the most fun thing for her about the special chorus is, “The relationships we form with each other while we sing.”

On Tuesday, December 16, the full Chamber Singers traveled to sing for the Kiwanis Club at Maggie Valley Country Club. Following the event, choristers mingled with the Kiwanis members and answered questions about their vocal work and school.

“One of the most memorable things,” about the Kiwanis performance, said 8th grade alto Cecelia Tucker, “was getting to talk to people who really enjoy the music.”

Finally, on Thursday, December 18, the Chamber Singers embarked upon their Annual Christmas Tour, with performances at North Canton Elementary, two at Silver Bluff Village in Canton, the Haywood County Schools Central Office, and also at the Canton Public Library.

For 8th grade alto Alycin Ray, one of her strongest memories of this whirlwind week came during the Christmas Tour. “At Silver Bluff, getting to know those residents really touches your heart,” she said, remembering “the satisfying feeling of giving them joy.”

For both the Kiwanis and Christmas Tour events, the music performed by the Chamber Singers was pulled from the Christmas Concert. Most of the pieces performed were challenging carols that allowed the growing choristers to put their vocal growth on full display. Among these songs was an arrangement by famous Renaissance composer Thomas Tallis titled “If Ye Love Me.” The Chamber Singers performed this piece a capella and “in the round”, with performers encircling their audience and singing toward the center of the room.

This was followed by a contemporary arrangement of an ancient Latin (Gregorian) text “Ubi Caritas Et Amor (Deus Ibi Est)” which translates to “Where charity and love are, God is also there.” Next was the 18th century carol “A La Nanita Nana”, and then “Sing Unto God”, which is a popular choral piece by famous Baroque composer G.F. Handel. The most difficult piece of the program, it is impressive for its many melismas, or many notes in sequence on a single syllable. The CMS Chamber Singers rose the occasion with each performance, however, and sang the piece beautifully.

The programs ended with the piece “Under Winter Moon”, a contemporary carol by Andy Beck. This work paints a picture of the beauty of a winter scene. Once again the Chamber Singers would gather “in the round” to perform this final song and conclude their performances.

Despite the extra hours, quiet attention to every little detail, and repeated expectations to perform at their highest level on demand, the students found it to be a rewarding week of effort. As 8th grade tenor Chris Strader put it, “It was really cool because more people got to hear us sing, and we also got to visit a lot of great places.” As Alycin Ray explained, “It was definitely a challenge, and it absolutely tired you out, but it was worth it to see the smiles on the audience’s faces, to know you made them happy.”

The hard work, though tiring for the students, had a goal beyond bringing Christmas cheer to the community. Chamber Singers and CMS Chorus Director, James Markey, put it this way: “The value of performance cannot be understated when it comes to choral music. Rigorous musical instruction, while stressing the importance of a cohesive ensemble, are the foundation of any good musician – but the full weight of the responsibility of using the talents that have been given cannot be fully understood until students see for themselves how deeply music can touch lives.”

Mr. Markey went on to say, “Singing in these intimate settings with people who were not known to them, many visibly moved by their artistry, and then the opportunity to spend time learning and sharing with many of them after they sang is the true realization of the power of their gifts.”

To those who did not have an opportunity to witness the Canton Middle School Chamber Singers perform during this holiday season, here’s hoping you’ll have an opportunity to do so next year. It was rewarding for all involved!

 

By:  Bill Hunt, Canton Middle School