By: Kylie Coffin, Co Editor-in-Chief
Posted December 15th, 2015
‘Tis the season for the Slinger choirs to hold their annual holiday concert! The concert will be held at 7:30 on Wednesday, December 16th in the high school auditorium. The theme is: “Songs for a Winter's Night: A Program of Holiday Classics”.
Over a month ago, Mrs. Peters and her choir students welcomed a student teacher, Mr. Moldenhauer, into the choir room to give him an opportunity to gain experience in conducting high school level students, and to give the students a chance to learn from a new influence. He first came to Slinger High School in early November, and will be student teaching until January 22, which is the end of the second quarter. Since he arrived, Mr. Moldenhauer has helped to lead choir practices alongside Mrs. Peters as the choirs prepare for their performances. On only his second day with Slinger High School students, he accompanied Concert Chorale and Chamber Singers at the choral festival held on Carthage College’s campus. Here, Chorale students sang “After the War” and “In Time of Silver Rain,” a song based off of Langston Hughes’ poem of the same name. Chamber Singers reprised “Red River Valley,” a folk song, and sang “Lorena,” a poetic Civil War song. Immediately following the choral festival, students began to rehearse their winter songs for the holiday concert which they will be performing later this week.
Mr. Moldenhauer, a graduate from Wisconsin Lutheran College, is no stranger to the world of music. He discussed the challenges and surprises of this student teaching position by saying, “The most challenging part for me has been gaining confidence in leading the choirs to their success. I'm definitely enjoying it a lot more than I thought I would. I had been singing in choirs for about 10 years, so it's a different story leading and guiding the choirs rather than being a singer in the choir.” With this, Mr. Moldenhauer also mentioned, “It is rewarding to work with talented singers and a talented mentor!” Students have received Mr. Moldenhauer warmly and have been excited to work with him on their challenging winter songs.
There are quite a few new events occurring at this year’s holiday concert that will make it unique from those in the past . After practicing together for over a month, Mr. Moldenhauer will be conducting selections from each choir’s list of songs. Men’s A Capella (SMAC) will be performing for their first holiday concert as an official class this Wednesday, and Vocal Jazz seniors will be joining them for a special winter song for the first time as well. While there will be many “firsts” at this holiday choir concert, one thing remains a constant for Slinger choirs every winter. Slinger has had a tradition of singing the “Hallelujah Chorus” by George Frideric Handel from “Messiah,” that traces back a countless number of years. It is at this time that all Slinger High School choir alumni are invited onto the stage to sing along with the current choirs. This mix of the old with the new, members of Slinger’s choral history with the future of Slinger choirs, is a holiday tradition loved by many. When asked about the significance of the “Hallelujah Chorus” tradition, choir director, Mrs. Peters, responded, “This piece presents two opportunities for our choral program as a whole: first, our students benefit from learning and retaining a substantial and well known composition by a profound and prolific composer. Second, this piece gives choir alumni the opportunity to stay connected with the Slinger High School choral program as we invite them back to sing with us.” With a tradition as well respected as this, one can expect to hear it for many holidays to come; and isn’t a big part of what makes the holiday so special the traditions?
All are invited to attend the holiday choir concert this Wednesday at 7:30, and a special invitation is extended to former Slinger choir members who are interested in singing the “Hallelujah Chorus”. Whether you are a student, faculty member, relative of a performer, community member, or none of these at all, there is a good reason to consider taking time out of your bustling holiday schedule to listen to the voices of Slinger High School students. As explained by Mrs. Peters, “The Slinger High School choral program serves the Slinger community, and even Washington County, as a whole through the performing of high quality choral repertoire in a professional manner.” She went on to say, “We invite everyone to come and listen to what we have to offer! We hope our music touches your heart and leaves you with a renewed sense of Christmas cheer.” This week, put yourself in a holiday spirit that is much more relaxing than holiday shopping, by listening to the beautiful songs Slinger students have been working so hard to perform this holiday season. In doing so, you’ll be supporting the choral program as well.
