Photos courtesy of Upper Arlington High School
At the end of May, members of Upper Arlington High School’s choir class of 2015 will raise their voices in song together for the last time.
The class will perform its final production at 7 p.m. May 27 in the UAHS auditorium. Choral director Eric Kauffman describes the class as an incredibly strong group of students who are unique in their close bond.
“The one thing that separates them from other classes will be their sense of togetherness and camaraderie,” Kauffman says. “I don’t seem to notice (cliques) in this group.”
This finale performance is a culmination of the students’ choral involvement that, for some, spans the entirety of their high school careers. Junior Jack LeBoeuf is excited to celebrate the achievements of his fellow choir members and classmates.
“The concert is a celebration of the senior class and also of a year’s worth of hard work from the department as a whole,” LeBoeuf says. “We perform a lot of fun literature and have a great time as the seniors make their final performance on the UAHS stage.”
The graduates’ legacy will live on through those they leave behind, Kauffman says.
“(They are) aware of their legacy to the underclassmen by providing that foundation of being prepared and leading by example,” he says. “This class really realizes that responsibility they have.”
The performance will feature a variety of works in all genres and styles, ranging from pop and musical theater to jazz, LeBoeuf says. The underclassmen will also have the opportunity to dedicate a song and performance to the graduating seniors. This aspect of the concert is a more recent addition to the show.
While each choir will sing and perform in groups, seniors will also sing by themselves. These solos, chosen by the seniors, are their final tribute to the vocal music program and their time as UAHS students.
“I’m really looking forward to hearing what individual talents the students come up with for their senior solos and senior duets and quartets,” Kauffman says. “I'm always interested to see what they can put together on their own and what they bring to the stage for their final performance.”
Audiences can expect great music based on great texts with great messages, says Kauffman. He notes the community’s enthusiasm and support for the annual musical and hopes to encourage more community members to attend the various other performances the vocal music department presents.
“Our community really turns out for musical theater, and I love that, but I would like for us as a community to really grow a stronger appreciation for choral music and vocal music in general,” he says. “(There are) wonderful artistic moments that happen in these live performances, and I would just like for our community to get out and experience that. I feel like they sometimes don’t realize the extraordinary things going on other than the musical.”
Elizabeth Tzagournis is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.
