Special performances during the last concert of the year bring personal stories and musical growth to the stage.
Choir director Nick Franssen highlights the importance of the concert traditions also known as special acts.
“The final concert is a time to highlight as many of our singers as possible,” Franssen said, “It’s been a tradition for a long time.”
The special acts bring variety to the choir program.
“The special acts can be singing, dancing or playing an instrument,” Franssen said.
For Franssen the concert is a dynamic journey for the audience.
“There are all these things that we want in a good production when we go see the movies,” Franssen said, “We want to laugh, and we want to cry.”
Senior Kyndall Dodds will surprise her family with an emotional solo for her special act.
“I am doing ‘The Call’ from ‘Narnia’,” Dodds said, “It is special to me because my sister did it for her special act her senior year, and so my family doesn’t know that I’m doing it, so it’s gonna be a surprise.”
Dodds will perform the piece as a sentimental solo performance for her senior year, joined by school accompanist Karen Klassen.
“It adds an emotional touch for me,” Dodds said, “It’s a softer song and a sweeter song.”
Dodds’ first rehearsal with Klassen stands out as a memorable experience since Dodds is graduating this year.
“We get to do our final song together,” Dodds said. “We are so close, and we both were teary-eyed.”
The piece included several challenges for Dodds.
“It just has such tender moments, which I find harder for me to sing, because I either get emotional, or it’s just harder to control my breath,” Dodds said.
In addition to Dodds’ performance there are five more special acts, including Junior Mikaela Tymony who is preparing two special acts. The first is with Tymony’s barbershop quartet and the second is a duet with her boyfriend.
“One of the songs is a barbershop quartet that we’re gonna be part of next year, consisting of Brooke Smith, Blaze Clem and Mason Daniel, and me,” Tymony said.
Tymony and her quartet are performing “Go the Distance” from “Hercules”. Tymony will also sing “Edelweiss” from ‘The Sound of Music’ with Travis Casteel.
“‘The Sound of Music‘ is one of my favorite movies, and ‘Edelweiss’ is one of my favorite songs from that movie,” Tymony said.
Barbershop practice serves as preparation for next year.
“We’re going to be in a quartet next year, so the barber shop will help us with next year being a quartet together,” Tymony said.
Ensemble members share a passion for music.
“We have so much room for growth, and we’re willing to put in that work to grow,” Tymony said.
Senior year connections grow stronger during these performances.
“This is Travis’s senior year. It’ll be nice for him to be part of a special act. It’ll be a good memory for me to remember before he graduates and leaves,” Tymony said.
The choir concert with the special acts will take place May 13 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium.
