Batavia High choir bonds while performing at Disney
They don't get the recognition that the athletes get. There's no special section in the newspaper dedicated just to their accomplishments.
Yet when they are "on their game" they can excite a crowd and move an audience to standing ovations as much as any basketball or football team.
That was the scenario in Orlando last week. The Batavia High School Choir, comprised of members of the Chamber Choir and the Varsity choir and the BHS Orchestra, took the stage at Downtown Disney and wowed the large audience that assembled there.
"It was an amazing experience and a blessing to be able to perform at Disney," said choir member Julie Wulff. "Touching strangers' lives with music was awesome."
Not only did the choir and orchestra perform, they also went to clinics.
The choir participated the Disney Sings Workshop. At the clinic, students learned how to audition properly. They also went through professional warm-ups and learned voice-over techniques. They got to record their own soundtrack for a Disney animated feature.
"The Disney clinic is helpful because it gives an inside look at the music industry," said senior Peter Kuhn. "The clinic gives an exciting experience for student musicians: performing the music of Belle and the Beast's dance, giving a voice-over for Timon and Pumba, and even singing Simba's solo in "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?
"By applying music to a classic Disney film, we were all given the chance to be a part of the Disney magic."
Kuhn not only sings in the choir, he also plays violin in the orchestra. At the orchestra clinic, he and his fellow orchestra members learned how to create a professional recording. The orchestra students had the opportunity to perform music for an animated film as well.
Batavia wasn't the only local group to perform. Musicians from South Elgin, West Chicago and Geneva also were invited to participate in the Music Days celebration. Each group had to submit a tape for judging to be invited to participate.
Rather than singing in a combined choir, Geneva performed as individual choirs on a small stage at Epcot. The choirs showed how well rehearsed they were, since their director, Roxanne Curtis, was unable to attend due to illness. With the help of area accompanyist Larry Dieffenbach and a student director, the choirs performed beautifully.
All of the area musicians had the opportunity to enjoy the Disney parks on the weekend. For some of the students, it was the first time seeing the wonders of Disney.
Sharing that was exciting, even for those who had been to the parks before.
"It is an incredible experience," said senior Tommy Nagel. "Everyone there, from a cast member to a custodian, works to make your experience there the best ever."
Learning from professionals about their craft, enjoying the hospitality of Disney and having fun in the parks aren't the only benefits of the trip.
"It was incredible the way this trip strengthened us as a group and built relationships," Nagel said. "Even though we are different, we came together as one. There was something very magical about that as well."