More than 100 of the top student vocalists from 13 elementary schools came together March 7 to rehearse, rehearse, rehearse — and
finally perform a concert at the diocesan Honors Choir Festival at Bishop
O’Connell High School in Arlington.
This is the second year the festival has been held in its current
form, according to Diane Elliott, assistant superintendent. She welcomed the
students, music teachers and parents, who drove in from as far away as Epiphany
School in Culpeper “to help students develop their gift of music.”
Elliott said the students, in grades 4 through 8, have been
learning the songs in advance and practicing at their home schools. March 7 was
the first time they came together in one large group to rehearse and perform. About
300 parents, grandparents, teachers and friends attended the afternoon concert.
Roy Wulf, a sixth
grader at Linton Hall School, performs at the Diocese of Arlington Honors Choir
Festival.
JOE CASHWELL | FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD
The multi-school choir was joined by the O’Connell Chorus for the
last two numbers, “so the elementary students have some peer role models they
can look up to,” Elliott said.
Guest conductor was Kyra Klontz, choral director at O’Connell.
Accompanist was Matthew Brown, a sophomore at O’Connell and the school’s choral
program accompanist. He is also a piano and organ accompanist at St. Mark
Church in Vienna and an avid composer. His original Mass setting, titled “Mass
of the Resurrection,” was approved by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
and has been played during Masses at St. Mark.
Music teachers Sarah Noone of St. Louis
School in Alexandria and Hwan-Ah Lee of St. Leo the Great School in Fairfax
coordinated the festival, Elliott said.
Other schools and music teachers participating were:
–
All Saints School, Manassas; Cristin McPhilamy.
–
Epiphany School, Culpeper; Theresa Watson.
– Holy Spirit School, Annandale, Andre Toussaint.
– Linton Hall School, Bristow; Debby Fancher.
– Our Lady of Good Counsel School, Vienna; Michael
Sparrow.
– Our Lady of Hope School, Potomac Falls; Michele
VanBelleghem.
– Queen of Apostles School, Alexandria; Sarah
Calvino.
– St. Bernadette School, Springfield; Mary Halick
and Jenna Sacolick.
– St. Joseph School, Herndon; Gabriella Bambino.
– St. Mark School, Vienna; Elena Prince.
– The Basilica School of St. Mary, Alexandria;
Nicole Luechtefeld.
