Kicking off the trip ... The whole group poses for a picture in front of the Sight and Sound Theater’s “The Lion and the Lamb” statue before going into the theater to see “Joseph.”
Members of the FFS Chorus, Show Choir, and Pit Band Compete In The North American Music Festival in Hershey, Pa.
By Brooke C.
This May, The Family Singers set out for Hershey, Pa. to participate in a music competition that has been a part of the legacy of the ensemble, the annual North American Music Festival.
Members of the mixed chorus, the men’s and women’s choruses, the show choir, and the pit band were under the supervision of Performing Arts Director Tom Kovaleski and Music Director Paul Geer. The set design and building was done by Kathy Kovaleski, and costumes were managed by Kathy and Jackie Petriella. Maintenance Supervisor Ed Anderson also helped build and transport the set, Larry Leung played in the band, and Nancy Anderson and Diane Geer went as chaperones.
Preparation for the trip had been going on all semester; however, the adventure officially began on Wednesday, May 12, when the 36-hour “mental retreat” began. The chorus, along with Geer, Tom Kovaleski, and Leung, sat in a circle in the candle-lit barn and read stories written by the students on their experience in chorus.
After a bus breakdown, Randy Whiting came to bail out the group; however, the lost time prevented them from singing at the Basilica of Elizabeth Anne Seaton. Still, the group proceeded through Amish Village to the Sight and Sound Theater in Lancaster, Pa. to see a performance of “Joseph,” a musical depicting the life of Joseph from the Old Testament. His brothers betrayed him and sold him into slavery. The musical, which took place in a theater with a 360-degree view and live animals, showed how Joseph managed to forgive his siblings for all that they did. It inspired some students to do the same.
The second day, the chorus, band, and staff headed off to Cumberland Valley High School for the music festival and the performance the past semester of work had been leading up to.
The group watched two jazz bands perform, ate lunch, and then got to work. First the Mixed Chorus performed, next came the Men’s Chorus, followed by the Women’s Chorus, and finally the Show Choir entitled, “Steppin’ Out.” Then the exhausted students and staff took apart the set, risers, instruments, and got the costumes back into the trailer to go get dinner, wash off the stage makeup, and crash in their beds.
The final day of the trip the chorus and chaperones set out for Hershey Park. The following four hours were spent consuming the amusement park food, riding roller coasters and, of course, enjoying tons of chocolate.
Mixed Chorus, Men’s Chorus, and Women’s Chorus received a rating of “Excellent,” and Show Choir was awarded a ranking of “Superior.” In addition, June graduate Josh K., received the award for “Most Outstanding Choral Solo.”
After the awards ceremony the students had 30 minutes to run around Chocolate World to purchase all the candy they could with their budget. “It was a fun experience and I had a good time getting closer to the people in chorus,” said Joanna B.
The three-day trip was a real opportunity for the chorus. Drew D. said, “It was a growing experience.” It was a chance for the students to bond while having fun through a once in a lifetime opportunity.
