On Dec. 10, the orchestra and choir came together to create what some people could call heaven: a perfect mixture of instrumental and vocal harmony. The Lakewood students at the concert showcased their hard work and dedication over the past several months.
Both groups practiced relentlessly to create a perfect harmony. This included different rhythms, different tones, and different beats. Freshman Kiera Jareke, who has been playing cello in the orchestra for four years, was one of the musicians who contributed to the melodic event. She explains how much fun performing can be and how everything comes together in the end.
“I was nervous on stage, and I was kind of scared because our rehearsal before that had gone pretty well, so I was confident, but I was still scared that something could go wrong,” Jareke said.
Nerves are typical before a big event like this; however, the excitement and thrill of performing often outweigh any fear.
There was a moment of ovation after each piece as the students stood under the bright lights of the civic auditorium, watching the audience smile with joy. While performing is exhilarating for the students, a concert can be equally euphoric for the audience, offering a glimpse into the passion poured into each note.
After the orchestra, Lakewood’s choir took the stage. They sang a bundle of songs that perfectly melded their voices to create something extraordinary. There was both a girls’ and boys’ choir. Each student demonstrated their talents in the group; some students even had solos. It was a remarkable display of how diverse voices—high and low—can meet in the middle of perfection.
Choir teacher Ms. Brooks, who has been teaching at Lakewood for eight years, ensures her students flourish in their musical abilities. Brooks explains the struggles of working with kids in the choir and teaching them how to use their voices as instruments.
“The hardest part of teaching it is that everybody’s voice is different, but you don’t want everybody to sound the same,” Brooks said. “The hardest part being in choir, I think, is that sometimes, you know, if you’re in band or orchestra, you could touch your instrument to change the notes, but you can’t touch your voice.”
Music has no age requirement. Freshman Charlaice Mcdonald plays the violin and started as young as 6th grade. For McDonald, the decision to start playing an instrument was instinctual. Everyone has a different path, whether it involves music, sports, academics, or anything else.
“I don’t even know how I started, I just knew I wanted to play an instrument,” McDonald said.
After each number ends, the musicians bustle around to get to their designated spots for the next song. For someone who’s never been in the music atmosphere, it can seem confusing yet thrilling to watch everything come together, especially for the talented group that gets to play that music.
Each instrument and voice plays an essential part in making tuneful sounds: the flute, tenor, trumpet, alto, clarinet, soprano, and so many more. These are just a few factors that go into organizing and preparing for a concert.
This performance was an unforgettable moment, not only because of the incredible display of art and music but also because of the message of music in education. The true message is music’s role in shaping the next generation. The notes and rhythms become a structure to create a better future for this generation and beyond.
