More than 350 chorus students from three schools gathered to celebrate their love of music at the Massapequa School District’s third annual Secondary Choral Festival on March 12. The event was part of the district’s celebration of Music in Our Schools Month.
The chorus students included eighth graders from Berner Middle School, ninth graders from Massapequa High School’s Ames Campus and 10th-12th graders from the main campus. The five-hour festival in the high school auditorium featured a variety of performances.
High school chorus teacher Nichole Greene kicked off the program by leading the singers in several warmup exercises. Throughout the day, each vocal group came up to the front to perform one or two songs. The featured ensembles included the eighth grade chorus, ninth grade chorus and treble choir, and high school treble choir, A Cappella choir, Chordettes and Crooners.
All chorus students rehearsed two songs together – “Sikirileke/Koloi,” a medley of two traditional folk songs arranged by Sabelo Mthembu, and Billy Joel’s “And So It Goes.” For the first song, they learned how to incorporate movement. The final combined performance of each song was recorded.
Leading the program were chorus teachers Ms. Greene and Ilena Dempsey from the high school, Malcolm Gilbert from Ames and Andrea Gropf from Berner. High school singers who attended the 2024 All-State musical festival shared their experiences during the program.
Ms. Greene said that the goal of the festival is to retain students in the choral program as they get older. The eighth graders, the event’s youngest participants, transition to two more schools and this shows them the singing opportunities they have at the high school campuses. For the upper-level vocalists, they serve as inspiration for their younger peers to ensure a strong future for Massapequa’s secondary choral groups.
“I hope the students get a greater sense of community and understanding of what the program looks like,” Ms. Greene said. “If they have a vision for what’s coming, they’re more likely to stay.”
Ninth grader Madison C., who helped start a new select treble choir at Ames this year, was thrilled to take part in the event. The group of nine girls sang “Stand Together” for their fellow vocalists.
“I think it’s so much fun,” she said of the festival. “It’s so great to see everybody and do something all together. We’re learning so much and advancing in our music.”
Sophomore Nicholas B. participated in his third choral festival. He is part of the high school Crooners barbershop group that sang “Sh-Boom.”
“It’s a calm setting to sing,” Nicholas said. “Everyone is being so supportive. It’s a great way to support the other ensembles and see what the rest of the music program looks like.”