On March 7, Rock Ridge Sings and the Stone Hill Eighth Grade Chorus performed at their pre-assessment concert. All choir groups showcased their skills as they prepared to take on assessment ten days later. On March 17 and 18, all Phoenix choirs earned a superior rating at their assessment at Dominion High School. Over the past couple of months, the group has diligently worked in class and at home to master their pieces. 

The Stone Hill eighth grade chorus, directed by Annabelle Mills, started the March 7 performance off strong with “Ten Thousand Miles” by Ruth Morris Gray and “Hala Lala Layya” by Audrey Snyder. The group performed both pieces well and set the stage for the Phoenix Choir. 

The Rock Ridge Cantus Avem took the stage next and performed “Pie Jesu” by Mary Lynn Lightfoot. The group wasted no time to put their skills in the spotlight as they blended together in many harmonies. They also performed “Music, Lead The Way” by Laura Farnell, and once again provided a wonderful performance for the audience. While the group performed well, they have seen drastic improvements individually and as a whole since the beginning of the school year. “In the beginning of the school year, we weren’t as blended,” freshman Cantus Avem member Neha Naga Balaji said. “Now, we understand each other and can actually sing well with harmonies.”

As Cantus Avem wrapped up their two songs, the Rock Ridge Phoenix Chorale prepared to take the stage. The Phoenix Chorale kicked off their performance with “Dies Irae” by Ryan Main, an intense piece with many different tones and harmonies. The group enhanced the powerful nature of the song and kept the audience on their toes at all times. “We had good articulation and we were pretty confident,” freshman Phoenix Chorale member Ajay Nayak said. 

Following this piece, the Phoenix Chorale performed “How Can I Keep From Singing?” by Greg Gilpin. This piece incorporated many harmonies while blending with the piano, while also including solo performances from freshmen Angel Labosette and RJ Richardson, and sophomore Wardah Islam. 

As the Phoenix Chorale finished up with their pieces, the Rock Ridge Chamber Choir stepped onto stage to perform “Yedid Nefesh” by Andrew Bleckner along with“Jai Ho” by A.R. Rahman and Ethan Sperry. “Jai Ho” is an upbeat and fast paced song, and the Chamber Choir wasted no time in proving that they could synchronize with the fast rhythm and drum beat of the piece. “We are working diligently in class and using practice tracks at home to learn our music,” junior Chamber Choir member Maggie Miller said.  

The Chamber Choir then proceeded to practice their sight reading. “We are currently working on the hardest sight reading, so that takes lots of practice as a group and at home,” Miller said. The group had two minutes to study a new sight reading sheet and perform it in front of the audience. Chorus director Jordan Markwood explained how practicing sight reading in front of the audience and judges at the pre-assessment concert would prepare them for the pressure of the actual assessment that would occur soon. 

As all of the choir groups look back on the performance, it’s safe to say that everyone has come a long way since the beginning of the school year. “Other than the fact that we could have expressed ourselves a lot more, I think [the concert] was actually pretty good,” freshman Cantus Avem member Pranathi Purushothamaiah said. Members of Cantus Avem feel that their singing has become a lot more balanced over time. “We’re doing well with blending and knowing when to get quieter,” Purushothamaiah said. 

Chorus members also enjoy being able to showcase their talents when they perform. “I’m always super excited because I genuinely love singing in chorus,” Miller said. 

While it’s normal to feel nervous before big performances like this, choir members genuinely enjoy the positive atmosphere. “I was super nervous because I thought I was also going to mess up the dance,” Purushothamaiah said. “It was actually a lot smoother than I thought it would go.”

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Alexis Cortés

Rock Ridge Cantus Avem performs first out of the Phoenix choirs. “We had some things to improve on, but otherwise I’d say we did pretty well,” Balaji said.