Moorestown High School’s performing arts department kicked off the holiday season with its choral winter concert on Dec. 1.
Guests were treated to classics such as “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Twelve Days of Christmas,” and “Let it Snow,” performed by the high school’s madrigals, concert choir and ensemble.
Senior Mia Savidge, sophomore Chloe Long and junior Hannah Thompson shared their excitement about performing for others.
“It just feels so good when you’ve worked on these pieces for so long, and you just feel really amazing performing them and knowing that you’re surrounded by people who love to produce music and sing,” Savidge said.
“It’s like an accomplished feeling,” Long noted. “It kind of boosts your ego a little. It’s like, ‘Wow, I just did that. That’s amazing.’”
“It feels really nice being surrounded by people who you know are singing the same songs as you, and it really gives you that feeling of community when you all sing the same piece together that you’ve been performing for so long,” Thompson offered.
Savidge and Thompson shared the challenges of some songs.
“I believe we put the most preparation into ‘Veni Veni (Emmanuel),’” Savidge explained, “just nailing the words and nailing all of the tricky harmonies and notes. But once we got it, it was really rewarding, because that was actually my favorite concert choir piece and it was just fun to sing.”
“I think the ‘Believe’ piece was really difficult for me personally, because it was very high, and there were a lot of high harmonies in the piece. And I think for me personally that was difficult,” Thompson said.
The Madrigals toured the township’s elementary schools on Dec. 2 and performed for students for the first time since COVID restrictions were lifted.
“I am so thrilled, because I remember sitting in the UES (Upper Elementary School) watching the Madrigals perform, and it’s going to be something really special,” Savidge said.
“Everybody who is going to be singing at this gig, this is going to be their first time …” Long pointed out before the show. “It’s a little nerve wracking because we have no experience, but I’m so excited because I love working with little kids and I think they’re really going to enjoy it.”
Savidge and Long cited memories they’ve made with the Madrigals and choir.
“I remember last year was the first winter concert since COVID, and I remember being with Hannah and Chloe, and it was just so amazing to be on the stage performing again,” Savidge offered.
“ … I think the first time that I was really bonded with everybody was when we decorated our Christmas sweaters,” Long said, “and it was just an amazing experience getting all the laughs and the Christmas spirit.”
Savidge encourages students interested in becoming a Madrigal to go for it.
“You may not get in your first time, and that’s okay,” she remarked. “If you just keep trying, you’re going to get so much better. And I know it’s disappointing at first, but it’s just an amazing experience when all that you’ve worked for and built up for really pays off in the end.”
