The young singers especially liked the selection of songs performed by the combined choirs-- “Billy Boy,” was a lively little ditty that gave everyone, singers and audience alike, something to laugh about and enjoy. And the dramatic grand finale, “Battle Hymn of the Republic” brought chills to more than just a few.
A majority of the 100 students had never combined their voices with mature singers, and standing shoulder to shoulder to sing together was a rare moment.
In their written evaluations they observed:
- I liked the loud powerful sound
- It was fun singing with adults. It sounded like we were perfechionals (sic)
- I liked how the Boeing Choir wasn’t afraid to sing out loud
- The best part was hearing the choir get really low notes
- Practicing with adults is really amazing
- The best part was hearing them
- The best part was singing with them
And what suggestions did they have that would make it even better? One opined that “..being able to eat would be good.” They also had some opinions about logistics, having more time to practice, and having a bigger stage. But others said nothing could make it better:
It was just as Sing for Life Founder Michael Kysar had predicted. The Sing for Life mission is to encourage young singers to keep performing music as they grow into adulthood. Opportunities abound in almost every community, he said. “They just have to find them.” He promised lifelong fulfillment and an avenue for staying young and healthy.
Prior to the “grand performance” Kysar met with each of the three classes separately to rehearse and to talk about the Sing for Life program. The teachers, who and who, had already done the basic practice, but refining the final performance was done by Kysar at visits to the music classrooms.
The Tahoma students have pleaded to sing with the Boeing Choir again, so we are planning another joint concert with them May 18th. Watch our website for more details.