On Sept. 4, Emerson’s varsity mixed choir, A Capella, will perform the Star Spangled Banner at The Star for their first home game! This will be the third year that this choir has been honored with this task. The group is excited to sing for their school while navigating the changes of a growing department.
The overarching emotion in the choir room is anticipation. President of the Choir Department, Maya Richa, 12, has been in the choir program for four years and has seen the ebbs and flows of the choir room in that time. She views singing the Star Spangled Banner for her peers as an exciting privilege, a merit that she has been a part of for the last three years. This final year, she is particularly excited for her last-first time to sing at a game.
“I am extremely excited for our first home game considering it is senior night that day. On top of it all, it’s always a blast getting to sing for everyone,” said Richa.
This year, Emerson Choir has a new member to share this experience with: Choir Director Elijah Lopez. Lopez is bringing new independence and opportunity to the choir with his plans to have the majority of the National Anthem performances be student-led. This not only shows his trust in his students but allows his veteran members to enjoy something new within a three year tradition. Using this new system, Lopez believes that the choir will obtain a more personal attachment to the performance while earning more credit for the team effort.
“My job as a director, especially a high school director, is to empower my students,” said Lopez. “My hope is that we get to see students take control of the department in a healthy way.”
In comparison to last year, A Capella has seen a large influx of new members, many of which are freshmen, so many of the veteran members are having to relearn their harmony for the performance. Although some would believe that this process could be grueling and monotonous, four-year member Georgia Bell, 12, sees it as an opportunity to bring new life to such a classic song.
“This year, we’re learning it slower since there are new people, so there’s more care involved,” Bell said.
The National Anthem has a way of unifying communities, entire schools and choir classes alike. Be sure to support Emerson’s football team and choir department this Thursday, Sept. 4, at The Star!
