By Austin C., Rosie E., and Sarah W.
“Success breeds success,” Tom Kovaleski, performing arts department director and choreographer, said as the performers prepared to take the stage on Family Day at the Family Foundation School.
For many, that’s what the show was: a success.
Choral Director Paul Geer conducted the chorus as they sang nine songs, which they previously performed in the beginning of May at the North American Music Festival (NAMF) in Hershey, Pa.
After the choral performance, there were a number of dance events presented by students in different dance classes offered at FFS.
The final group to take the stage was the school’s show choir, dubbed Steppin’ Out. They were accompanied by a pit band composed of Geer, staff member Larry Leung, and six FFS students. “Song of America!” (performed at NAMF) was filled with songs and dances that paid respect to America and our armed forces.
“There was a lot of joy and a lot of tears this semester to get to where we got,” Geer commented. “It was an honor to share the stage with everybody.”
“I’m extremely proud of all the hard work and quality our students have shown at this Family Day performance,” said Kovaleski. “Coming off of a very successful competition in Hershey and adding some dances to the program makes for a superb show.”
The Family Day performance minus the dance classes was what judges saw at NAMF in Hershey. Although, the Family Singers and Show Choir did more than just perform for a trophy on the trip.
The first stop was the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Basilica on Thursday, April 30, where the Family Singers performed a short concert of three songs in the upper basilica.
The students then proceeded to Lancaster, Pa. where they enjoyed a showing of “High School Musical” and dinner at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre.
On the second day the students went to Gettysburg where they were given a tour of the battlefield by tour guide Richard Kohr. “I’ve been doing this for 15 years, and I love it!” exclaimed Kohr. The students enjoyed the tour, especially when they heard how Little Roundtop was taken.
That night, the Family Singers’ Mixed Chorus, Men’s Chorus and Women’s Chorus, and the show choir, Steppin’ Out, competed in the North American Music Festival.
The next day was spent riding rollercoasters and eating chocolate at Hershey Park. “It was absolutely exhilarating,” laughed Jordan S.
Later that day the students gathered with all of the other competing schools for the awards ceremony. The Men’s Chorus and Show Choir received Superior ratings, and the Women’s Chorus and Mixed Chorus received Excellent.
“I don’t want to ever let go of this,” said Trish H. of Family Two, who clung to the Show Choir trophy.
This was the 15th annual North American Music Festival that the Family Singers have attended.
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