WHS Choir Director Korey Bruno leads Show Choir in practice for first performance. (PHOTO SUBMITTED)
WESTFIELD – For the first time this school year, the Westfield High School Show Choir will be singing together in person to record a holiday performance for the general public to enjoy.
Choir Director Korey Bruno said the school year has been challenging for the choir. She said while they are all getting together through Google Meet, in one week she will have a few kids in the classroom and the others online, which will change the following week with the other cohort. Some students are also strictly remote, and others have retained their places as honorary members, because of scheduling conflicts.
“The kids have been so good and understanding, but frustrated at the same time,” Bruno said, adding that while she has a flat screen tv in the practice room to bring everyone together, they can’t hear each other when they sing. “When they start to sing, there’s not that AHA moment,” she said.
Bruno said when Westfield Gas & Electric asked if they could have the Show Choir participate in a holiday promotion they are making about Westfield, it got her thinking.
“Although virtual choirs seem to be the `thing’ to do this year, It does lose some of the things that make the Westfield High Choir special to its members. A virtual performance does not offer the same vocal intimacy that the choir has during a regular year. That being said, the choir has decided to do one in-person recorded performance, following all proper protocols for the safety of everyone present,” Bruno said.
Show Choir members social distance for practice for first performance. (PHOTO SUBMITTED)
The performance, which will be rehearsed in the WHS auditorium on Dec. 1, will be performed on Dec. 2. Bruno said Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski has fully supported the effort.
“Stefan is an amazing superintendent. Anything that he could do to help us, and our principal Chuck Jendrysik, to make sure protocols are followed,” Bruno said.
Kenneth Stomski and Jay Pagluica are videotaping and recording the concert, to be shown on Channel 15 and YouTube. They are also hoping to take some drone footage of the choir singing in Stanley Park to add to the concert footage.
Bruno said the performance will feature six holiday-themed songs. “We are so excited to finally be able to see and hear each other sing!” Bruno said.
Bruno said this performance will just be of the Show Choir, to “test the waters.” She said they usually do a February performance, which will have a Disney theme this year. “If this goes well, we will push to have the whole choir perform,” she said.
