Debut of Webberville Choirs - November 2004
If you happened to drive by Webberville High School last Monday night, you might have been puzzled by the long line of cars trying to get into the parking lot. You may have noticed the abundance of cars parking on the lawn of the school. Inside the high school, the gym was filled to capacity with anxious parents as the overflow crowd stood by monitors in the lobby. What happened in Webberville on Monday night to create such excitement and inspire the crowd of 1000 plus parents, siblings, and community members? It was the 230 voice Webberville Community Schools Choir who were about to take the stage for their debut performance under the direction of new choral director, Christopher Card.
The atmosphere in the choir room has been electric as the students have been practicing and preparing for their first vocal concert. If you were a visitor to the high school on any given day, you may have heard the choirs practicing with their “fwaaaaa”, learning proper mouth placement by putting Oreos vertically in their mouths, or chanting a rhyme about many mumbling mice in the moonlight. “Mr. Card makes choir so much fun, you just want to sing and sing and sing. It’s a great thing to be in. The songs are so memorable and I am sure the experiences in the future will be too.” commented Savannah Albin, a 7th grade student.
The aura of excitement at the concert not only permeated through the proud parents, patrons and administrators, but it was probably most evident in the performers themselves. Each individual choir was introduced by a video segment which was broadcast on large twin video screens hung behind the choir risers. A short video biography of each choir highlighted practice sessions and gave individual students the opportunity to say what they liked about being in choir. It was through these video clips, and especially evident in the performances, that the students had taken ownership of their choir and were proud of what they had accomplished both individually and as a whole. One only had to look at the faces, watch the body language, and listen to the voices to capture the pride that the students had in their performance. “Choir is a lot of fun. I like the fact that Men’s Choir is us guys getting together as friends and singing together. Everybody has fun with it, it’s not like a requirement to have to sing, we just do.” stated Josh Cook, 12th grade. The students’ hard work and their quality of performance were recognized by the audience at the end when they received a five minute standing ovation.
“I have a strong belief that average school-aged youth are capable of accomplishing professional levels of musical performance.” stated Mr. Card. “To accomplish this in the school setting takes energy, enthusiasm, discipline and a high standard of instruction from students and staff combined with unconditional support from administration and the strong support of a community. I believe we are going to accomplish this pursuit here in Webberville as all the ingredients for success are in place. This past concert was the first step in our pursuit of artistic excellence.”
The Webberville vocal music program was expanded this year to include new choir opportunities for students in grades 5-12. The number of students in the choir program went up 65% this year, with 54% of all students in 5-12 grade enrolled in choir. Further curricular growth is already being planned for the next school year as strong student interest in the program continues to develop
The new choir program has its sights set on becoming a nationally recognized program of excellence, but it is at the beginning stages of that pursuit. Monday night’s performance saw the choirs dressed in matching navy t-shirts with the choir logo on the front. Future choir performances are envisioned with the high school men in tuxedos, and the women in black formal dresses. The middle school will be wearing custom polo shirts, and the elementary choirs will have a choir shirt as well. To make this goal a reality, the choir has been holding fundraisers with the hope of raising money to purchase the uniforms. To date they have raised $6,800 with a goal of $10,000 by Christmas. Mr. Card and the choir students would like to thank Republic Bank, Clark Construction, A.G. Edwards, and the Williamston Sunshine Rotary for donating $1,000 each. Also, they would like to thank VZs Grocery Store in Webberville for hosting the choir bake sale. If you are interested in donating to the choir fundraising effort, please contact Christopher Card, Vocal Music Director at 521-3447 ext: 344.
The Webberville Choirs Christmas Concert will be held December 16, 2004 at 7:00 PM in the secondary gym. Please come early to get a seat as there will be seating for only 950 people with overflow in the cafeteria to watch a live closed circuit feed of the concert. Admission to the concert is free, donations will be accepted after the concert.