Tri-County singers hold honor choir performance

Dozens of gifted area high school vocalists gathered to present an uplifting sound during the annual Tri-County Honor Choir performance. It was a gathering of the very finest vocalists within the area covered by host Tri-County Educational Services, and it was a pitch-perfect evening.

Under the direction of guest conductor Eric Richardson, choral music clinician and OMEA adjudicator, as well as guest accompanist Michelle Maklouf, students from Chippewa, Hillsdale, Norwayne, Waynedale, Loudonville, Orrville, Wooster, Smithville, Northwestern, Rittman and host Hiland united as one voice at the Perry Reese Community Center at Hiland High School.

The event, normally held at The College of Wooster, was switched to the Reese Center this year at the last moment, and Hiland’s administration rolled out the red carpet to welcome the students and their choral directors.

During the evening, 76 honors student voices presented musical numbers that ranged from “Nelly Bly” to “If Music Be the Food of Love.” Other numbers included “Glory in Excelsis,” “If Ye Love Me,” “True Light” and “Let the River Run.”

According to Hiland music instructor Alexander Looney, the practice time for this event is very compact and intense. Each honor student receives their music a couple weeks in advance and can work on their own, but the chance to work as a group is very limited. Each individual school choral director worked with their honor students, and they have one sectional evening at Wooster High School where each group of sopranos, altos, tenors, baritones and basses works in their own group.

The entire group then traveled to the Reese Center the day before the concert, where they spent six hours in intense training, syncing their voices, getting the timing down and soaking in the opportunity to share as one.

“Hearing them sing as one is incredible when you think about how little they were together,” Looney said. “That is a testament to these kids, their choral director and especially to our guest conductor who had such high expectations and drew everything together to make it sound like they’ve been singing together forever.”

Choral directors nominate students for this honor, and a selection committee puts it all together.

Waynedale choral member Brooklyn Schlabach said getting this opportunity to join so many other talented high school vocalists was something each will cherish.

“It’s a great experience that none of us could ever have just at our own schools,” Schlabach said. “We get to join all of these talented people from all over the area and share our love for music. It was special.”

Michelle Muro, fine arts consultant with Tri-County ESC, said watching all the hard work culminate in a brilliant performance was satisfying and a tribute to all who played a role.

She said as they neared the end of their practice day that she encouraged each student to simply enjoy the music they were making and the level of quality they had achieved.

“The kids came together so well,” Muro said. “This event is a great deal of work, but it is so worth it. You can sense how much these young people have grown through this experience of singing with their peers.”

As for landing Richardson to conduct, Muro said they did an extensive search to find the right fit, and Richardson’s experience and love of what he does made him a strong candidate. He didn’t disappoint, displaying his unique flair and inspiring the youth to excel.

“I don’t know any other way to conduct other than with great joy and excitement,” said Richardson, who said this would be one of his final performances. “You want to promote the thrill that comes with singing, both for the students and for the audience. We can express so much through music, and these young people did a wonderful job of bringing all kind of emotions to their performance.”

Richardson said these honor students thrive because of the guidance they get from their choral directors. He said putting the finishing touches on the honors program is only possible because of their hard work and dedication.

“They have such a huge influence on these young people because they connect humanly with these kids, and they provide guidance, emotion, help them understand the power and love in music, and these kids got it. What these directors are providing for these kids will help them become more human and more confident as they go out into the world.”