By Rosie Smith
The McNicholas band and choir are currently in their final practices for their upcoming performance on Thursday, May 7 at 7 p.m. in the Jeanne Spurlock Theatre.
Vocal music director Mrs. Lauren Bridges Loyer and band director Mr. Keith Nance are working together to bring the spring concert to McNick. The student-vocalists and musicians will perform four to five pieces and have been preparing for a month.
Loyer explained that performing concerts are beneficial for practicing singers because “they’re the closest thing to a real-life performance scenario, if they want to go on in music, we want them to have the tools to do that,” Loyer said.
When rehearsing begins, she said that practices consist of things like breathing exercises, cite reading, and rhythm practice with each part being rehearsed individually, then gradually merged. She also explained the importance of every student learning all the parts due to unexpected absences.
She lastly gave advice for student vocalists. “After a year in choir, you’re not going to be a perfect singer. It’s going to take a lot more than one year, working at something to be world class at it. First focus on your growth, not just the things that you’re still working on. My other advice is overprepare,” she said.
Nance explained that continuous practice is helpful for success. “Just playing, that’s what we do. The more you play the better you get, getting out in public and promoting the school,” he said.
He also explained that the musicians have grown to be better players. “We’re able to mix more styles because they’re better,” he said.
“We have some really good musicians who like to play. When I come in the band room they’re already playing,” he added.
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