AHS Concert Choir 2016

Simply amazing performance last night at Region 6AA contest.

Armstrong Concert Choir

Masterworks Concert 2016

The choir students showcased their music last night in preparation for the Spring local and regional contests coming up.  Oliver sang with the Freshmen Madrigals, Henry sang with Chamber Singers and Concert Choir. It was short, sweet & wonderful to hear them perform!

NWSC All-Conference Choir

Henry was one of many who performed in an All-Conference performance last evening at Blaine High School.  I managed to record a few parts of the songs they sang and have added them to the playlist below for friends and family who could not attend.

Enjoy!

{please excuse video quality, learning new camera}

These students auditioned for the Northwest Suburban Conference Choir, representing 14 schools, spent many Sunday afternoons rehearsing in preparation for this event. On Monday, they sang with their individual high school choirs in a clinic/exchange in lieu of attending regular classes at their schools.  Three guest conductors appeared with the All-Conference choir, band and orchestra.  Tuesday evening was the Grand Finale Concert.

The annual NWSC Music Festival provides nearly 2500 students the opportunity to work collaboratively with other students and directors from the conference schools, as well as the guest conductors.  The performance was also reviewed and critiqued by the guest conductor-clinician.

2016 Outback Bowl Halftime Show

Video courtesy of another band - this view from the back (Tennesse side) of the field.

photo by JJ Egge (AHS Marching Band Parent)

More to come!

Winter Choir Concerts 2015

For friends and family who cannot make it to see the boys sing...  here's a few selections from the Chamber Singers' Wassail! concert on Tuesday evening.  Henry is in this group.





More videos to come after this evening's concert.  The Freshmen sing at 6 pm, as do the Madrigals, of which Oliver is a part of...  it will be a great evening!

Armstrong Choir Concerts

Happening This Week
Dec. 14, 7pm - Plymouth 8th Grade Concert and AHS Madrigal Ensembles
Dec. 15, 7pm - Chamber Singers Wassail Concert
Dec. 16, 5-7pm - Restaurant Night Out - Wendy's 
Dec. 17, 6pm - Winter Concert-Freshman, Madrigals, Concert Choir, Cantori
Dec. 17, 8pm - Winter Concert-Varsity, Madrigals, Concert Choir, Cantori

The boys have a busy week ahead!  Pictures and video to follow. 

Chamber Singers | Orchestra Hall

The Chamber Singers performed in the Target Atrium prior to the scheduled orchestra concert.

Video

Was a nice little venue with great acoustics.  The kids did great!  A short preview here.

So grown up!

The Chamber Singers have a full schedule of performances - some private and others public.  I promise you won't be disappointed in attending one of their Wassail performances.  Join us and get in the holiday spirit!

Tuesday, Dec. 1     Governor's Residence Open House

Saturday, Dec. 5   4-5pm Plymouth Old Fashioned Christmas 

Friday, Dec. 11   (before A Christmas Carol) in the Guthrie Theater Lobby Concert 

Saturday, Dec. 12    11-12 pm @ Lunds, Plymouth

Saturday, Dec. 12     6-8 pm Crowne Plaza, Plymouth

Tuesday, Dec. 15    7pm Wassail! at AHS (alumni sing)

Thursday, Dec. 17    6 & 8pm Winter Concerts at AHS

Friday, Dec. 18     6-8pm Crowne Plaza, Plymouth

Oliver also performs in December at the 6:00 pm performance on December 17th.  These will be in the Armstrong High School auditorium.

Join us for the annual Winter Concerts on Thursday, Dec. 17 at 6 & 8 pm. 6pm features the Freshman Choirs, 8pm features the Varsity Choirs, all other choirs perform for both concerts.

This year's program features a new commission by Tim Takach, a new work by Craig Carnahan, AHS Voice Faculty soloists along with Todd Burkholder and Kevin Martin will be featured with the Armstrong Concert Choir.

It will be a great night of music!

2015 ACDA | Henry

Henry is at rehearsal all day today for a concert performance this evening with an auditioned state choir.  He had a blind audition (digitally recorded and emailed) late last year and they have only one performance.  The kids are expected to learn their music/part on their own and show up today for a full rehearsal, culminating in what is surely to be some awesome, goosebump, soul-inspiring music at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis.

We set out this past weekend to buy him a new tie and dress shirt.  He left the house this morning to take the city bus downtown with his friend.  I am just a tad bit in disbelief that he's as old and mature as he is - not because he's not capable - but because how can my little boy possibly be this grown up and independent?!

I asked him to keep in touch with me throughout the day if he had the opportunity, as well as take some pictures of the group from AHS.  There are six of them.  I haven't received any pictures as of yet, but here's a text he sent.  The boy has got panache and whether or not he gets the solo, the fact that he raised his hand tried out - blows me away.  Makes this momma's heart all warm and fuzzy.

  

The song choices are secular and the fact that they will be performed in a church that is getting close to 100 years old...  I cannot WAIT to hear their performance tonight!

We are unable to take video because they are recording it separately; each student gets a copy as part of their agreement.  I will gladly share more pictures if I can get them this evening, as well as any links to their performance.  

sent him off this morning with bus fare, cough drops and a power bar for dinner

Update:  Henry didn't get the solo but that didn't ruin the evening.  As expected, a beautiful evening of amazing voices entertained us for about an hour.  Henry is top row, 6th from the left.  They sang five pieces in total.  I hope to bring back some links to their music in the near future.

Freshmen Spring Concert 2014

Henry sang for the last time as a Freshman at the Spring Concert in the Armstrong High School auditorium last evening.  His row of fans included:  Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa & our friend, Cheryl

It was a wonderful concert and showcased such a fabulous array of talented young adults.  The choir program at AHS is amazing, and I'm beyond thrilled that my sons have the opportunity to be a part of it.

Freshmen Madrigals is an auditioned choir that rehearses before school one day a week.  Attendance is mandatory or you risk being dropped from the group. Apparently the group shrank a bit because of that guideline. Henry also took voice lessons most of the past year with Nicole.  He will continue voice lessons this summer and looks forward to someday making the Chamber Singers.

Enjoy the compilation below of the Freshmen Mads, as Henry calls it.

I can pick out his voice, can you?  

My Heart is Offered Still to You (Orlandus Lassus)

Lirum bililirum (Rossino Mantovano)

Dream With Me (arr. John Purifoy)

Did you notice that these kids do not need a director for 2 of the 3 songs?love.

Swell The Full Chorus (George Frideric Handel)

The Gypsy Rover (arr. Emily Crocker)

Dide ta Deo (Uzee Brown, Jr.)

The choirs were directed by Tony Rangel and Stephanie Trump,
as well as a student teacher [name to be added].

Hard to pick a favorite, but maybe it's Dide ta Deo for me.
I looked up the background and translation - fun!

with Director Stephanie Trump

Freshmen Choirs

Freshmen Madrigals | 2013-2014