Chamber Choir Sings at the NJSMA High School Choral Festival
By Alanna Karuru, PHHS Student
On Wednesday, Nov. 29, music and harmony filled the Alexander Kasser Theater at Montclair State University (MSU) as it hosted performances by various choral ensembles, including the Pascack Hills Chamber Choir.
Their performance was part of the NJSMA High School Choral Festival, a collaboration of high school choirs around North Jersey. This year was the first year the festival took place at MSU, making it a memorable venue for the Hills Chamber Choir members.
In attendance were eight other performing choirs from Nutley High School, Clifton High School, Northern Valley at Old Tappan, Newton High School, Paramus High School, Lyndhurst High School, and Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest.
Photo Credit: Claire Mazan, PHHS Teacher
The performances consisted of repertoire sung by each choir, who were then given live feedback by clinicians on their pieces. The clinicians were Dr. Heather J. Buchanan and Deborah Mello–two accomplished MSU faculty members.
The Pascack Hills Chamber Choir was given the chance to work with Dr. Heather J. Buchanan, who is currently the Director of Choral Activities at MSU. Under Buchanan’s direction, MSU’s Choral Program has been able to travel the world, gain early professional experience, and perform music at an extremely high level.
After the Pascack Hills Chamber Choir’s performance, Dr. Buchanan shared encouraging critique, offering the choir not only positive feedback, but insightful advice which they integrated as they practiced on the spot.
Photo Credit: Claire Mazan, PHHS Teacher
Hills sophomore and Chamber Choir member Caitlin Buckley said, “It was great at MSU. The notes and criticisms given by the experts were a great learning moment for us and the other choirs. We had extremely positive comments from the experts. It was a lot of fun!”
Having the opportunity to listen to other performers and listen to active feedback created an unforgettable experience for the Hills Choir.
Pascack Hills Director of Choirs Margarita Elkin shared her final thoughts on the event and the Hills Chamber Choir, “Overall, it was a great experience of music making, and I am very proud of my talented students,” she said.