SANFORD – On Thursday, April 30, the SHS choral program attended the ACDA Adjudicated Festival, a yearly event in which many of Maine’s middle and high school choirs can enter to receive an evaluation by a panel of judges, hosted at Scarborough High School. Choirs are rated on a one-to-five scale in several categories, including performance and their ability to sight-read sheet music. SHS entered four groups: the chorale, which is the entire choir; Vox Sparta, the school’s TTBB ensemble; the treble choir; and chamber singers, a smaller and more specialised choir. Each group received its own score.
The chorale received an “Excellent” score, the second-highest possible rating, with particular notes being made on their musicality, performance, and professionalism. Vox Sparta and Treble Choir both received a five-out-of-five “Superior” score, while Chamber Singers also received an “Excellent” score.
The chorale performed the songs Tshotsholoza and Homeward Bound, the latter arranged by Sanford High’s very own Ryan Geary. Vox Sparta performed Wayfairing Stranger and My Best by Vanessa Carlton, arranged by Ryan Kane; Treble Choir performed A Girl’s Garden by Randall Thompson and Never One Thing, arranged by Corie Brown; and Chamber Singers performed Ave Verum Corpus and Caledonia, arranged by Richard Nickerson.
The event was a major milestone for the school, as it was the first time a non-audition group from SHS performed at the ACDA festival. When asked for his feelings on this year’s event, Mr Geary said, “I am beyond proud of this year’s showing by Sanford High! We have worked so hard, and it has been proven by our scores!”
The Sanford High School choral program is expanding each year, and there’s always room for more. If you’re interested in joining next year, Mr Geary can be found in room B144. Remember, if your vocal cords work, you can sing.
