Chorus Comes Back

The Collegiate Orchestra at the Winter Concert on December 17th, 2021

The Collegiate Upper School Chorus is back! After a year off because of COVID, the Chorus remains poised to please your ears with an upcoming performance for the holiday concert. This year’s group consists of about fifteen enthusiastic singers, ranging from freshman to seniors. Jeremy Pease, the new conductor of the choir, has come into his own and become a part of the Collegiate community.

November 11 was the chorus’s first performance, when members recorded two pieces: “I’m Bound Away” and “Sing We Alleluia.” The emotional “I’m Bound Away” begins with a slow pace, evoking a sense of surreality for the audience. Despite its simple quality, “I’m Bound Away” is elegantly constructed to both charm and captivate the audience. After this beautiful set-up, the concluding piece for the performance was “Sing We Alleluia.” A rhythmically compelling choral composition, “Sing We Alleluia,” alternates between forte and piano keeping the listener engaged. Senior Ankit Raparthi begins the song with a delightful solo that sets the stage for the rest of the piece. For the Winter Concert, the Chorus also plans on performing the songs “Haida” and “Betelehemu.” The Hebrew folk song “Haida” manages to engage the audience despite having only two lines with its constant repetition of the word “haida.” The song originates from the specifically Jewish genre called the Nigun that inspires prayer and uses repetitive sounds as opposed to formal lyrics. “Betelehemu” is a West African Christmas carol sung in the Yoruba language. The lyrics revel in the glory of the Father in choosing to have his son born in Bethlehem.

In addition to the Upper School Chorus, the Undutchables are making a return this year as well! Led by Matthew Philip ’22 and Tristan Stump ’22, the a cappella group rehearses a few times a week to prepare for the Winter Concert. The group consists of both Chorus and non-horus members who are all working hard together to produce the best music possible. The Undutchables will be performing Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You.” Released in 1994, the song has been in the Billboard top 100 charts for forty-four consecutive weeks and has topped the charts for twenty-nine weeks. The Upper School Chorus and the Undutchables can’t wait to perform for you all!