A new women’s choir, The Lancerettes, has formed at Edinburgh Community High School.
Choir teacher Kerri Kappler tells you what you need to know about the new choir.
How many choirs does Edinburgh currently have?
Edinburgh has a sixth-grade choir, Lancers Choir, and the newly formed ensemble, Lancerettes.
Why did you want to start this choir?
I wanted to give an additional opportunity for those students whose class schedules conflict with the daily choral class. It is another opportunity to showcase Edinburgh’s vocal talent.
How many concerts/competitions will you be involved in?
This semester, the choral department is involved in several performances. Individual students from the Lancers Choir will be participating in the upcoming ISSMA District Solo & Ensemble contest Jan. 30 in Bloomington. Also on Jan. 30, the Lancers Choir will be performing the National Anthem for the varsity boys basketball game at 7:30 p.m.
Throughout the boys and girls basketball season, you may catch members of our Lancers Choir performing the National Anthem individually. The Lancers Choir and Lancerettes will be hosting a Valentine’s Cabaret fundraiser at 7 p.m. Feb. 10 in the cafeteria. Admissions will be $5 for an evening full of music organized by the students and sweet treats.
I am currently planning a concert for Lancerettes in April, and the choral department will finish the semester with a spring concert at 7 p.m. May 16. The students will also have the opportunity to audition for a spring musical.
How many women will be involved?
In Lancerettes, the ensemble currently has 11 members.
What type of performances are you planning?
The Valentine’s Cabaret will feature multiple solos and small ensemble performances organized by the students. The choir will perform as a whole, and we are excited to present the first appearance of the Lancerettes.
What is the rehearsal process like?
We begin each rehearsal with warm-ups, focusing on vowels, breathing, blending and balance to create a full choral sound. Applying techniques from warm-ups, we proceed to rehearse various choral music pieces. I introduce different musical genres to broaden their knowledge of vocal music literature.
What is your goal for the ensemble?
My goal for these students is to have a lifelong love for music, no matter the path they choose.
What were auditions like?
The students received an excerpt of music to prepare for the audition. During the audition, they sang the prepared excerpt, sight-read a selection and vocalized for voice-part placements.
