David Zhao

1st Period
Duluth High School Chorus Winter Concert
As I hurriedly took what was possibly the last seat available in the jampacked auditorium, the cacophonous roar of eager parents and nervous but
excited singers died down with the dimming of the lights. Framed by
spotlights, the stage was devoid of any talented choirs but instead had two
main point of interest: the giant, gilded, glistening harp and the sleek black
baby grand piano. My anticipation for the concert was at its peak; I couldnt
wait to hear the Duluth High School Chorus for the first time.
Like angels whispering from the heavens, the bright voices of the
Advanced Womens Ensemble began to sing, accompanied by a harpist. One
by one, they file onto the stage, continuing to sing through their pieces that
vaguely reminded me of a Gregorian chant but with a flair of Christmas
carols. Intricate melodies intertwined with supporting harmonies into an
other-worldly experience. Well, at least for the Advanced Womens Ensemble.
Its a different story for the other choirs that followed.
Both Jentends le Moulin and Vive Lamour proved to be too repetitive
for my taste, almost as if they were emulating the progressive and trance
music found in todays nightclubs but in a choral fashion. That isnt to say
the mens and chamber choirs didnt sing well; I just didnt agree with their
song choices.
Although I have yet to complain about their singing, I have many
gripes about the audience around me. In particular, there was a four or five

David Zhao
1st Period
year old boy with a toy that rattled noticeably, even when the choirs were
singing. He shook it nonstop for almost two minutes, and during the entire
time his mother neglected to do anything about her belligerent son. That one
boy ruined part of the concert for me, as it was extremely difficult to focus on
the music when there is an incessant, aggravating noise ringing in your
head. Despite this, I thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the concert, especially
the finale, where students from all choirs joined in to sing a beautiful
rendition of Leroy Andersons Sleigh Ride as well as Carol of the Bells.
Towards the end, the choir did something that I did not expect: all students
walked off the stage and into the balcony surrounding the audience, singing
the whole time, and this gave me a new experience, almost like Dolby Digital
surround sound, but in real life. Overall, I enjoyed this concert, even more so
because it was the first one that Ive been to, and it was a experience that I
would recommend readily to anyone.