Longwood’s music program has created a few a capella and choir groups that perform regularly at Longwood events. This past Thursday, Longwood hosted several other choirs from local education institutes including Matoaca Middle School and Tabb High School. The choir representing Matoaca consisted of both boys and girls while Tabb was only a female choir.
Both of the visiting choirs had exceptional abilities, especially at such a young age. The Matoaca Middle School choir, while not the most experienced, presented an ensemble with both talent and charisma that charmed the audience. With slightly breathy voices, they sung various songs that tested the limits of their talents and wowed the audience, including the other choirs present.
After they were finished, it was time for Tabb High School to show their talent with an all-
female voice cast. Tabb High School seemed to be the more experienced of the performers of the Thursday showing due to their variety in song and character during the performance. They performed basic songs that tested the range of their vocals and showmanship. Perhaps the most impressive piece they sung was a ragtime tune that was both catchy and well-rehearsed and there were no flaws in their voices.
After they were finished preforming, it was time for Longwood’s Camerata Singers and Chamber Singers to show their singing prowess. However, the groups present at the concert existed on a different level in comparison to their younger counterparts from the local schools. They seemed to not be as in sync as the younger singers and almost sounded less confident.
While they still sounded nice, they didn’t present the same stage presence that the other two schools possessed. Once the Longwood
groups had sung their hearts out, all three of the schools grouped together to preform one final song as a whole. They performed a song that had never been heard before and was specific only to the three schools as they were all referenced in the song number.
As the music died in Jarman Auditorium, the audience was on their feet applauding the performances of all three schools. The night was full of pride from parents and teachers alike, smiles on the performer’s faces and a sense of contentment in the audience after hearing the beautiful voices.
The Camerata Singers and Chamber Singers will be performing on Nov. 24 in Jarman Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. along with the other University Choirs. Admission is free and everyone is invited to attend. The choirs will be performing their repertoires that they have been practicing and perfecting at this concert.
