Feb. 11, 2025
By Drew Bancroft
Webmaster
After weeks of preparation and three long rehearsals, 11 LHS chorale members, ranging from sophomores to seniors, showcased their talent at the Bergen County Choir’s concert on Jan. 12 at Paramus High School.
About 220 students from over 20 public and private high schools throughout Bergen County were accepted into this elite ensemble following an extensive audition process, which took place at Mahwah High School in late October.
Senior Summer Caffrey, an Alto II who has been in the ensemble for three years, said candidates had to perform three scales, an excerpted solo and a tonal memory test during the audition.
“[The audition] is definitely a nerve-racking experience, but once you’re done, you’ll realize that it really wasn’t all that you had worked it up to be, and it’s actually pretty fun,” Caffrey said.
After being admitted to the ensemble, the students received a set of pieces to study before the first rehearsal.
“Having to learn the music in such a short amount of time and then be expected to have all these words memorized and so many notes… is very difficult.”
“Although [the repertoire] was very difficult, we had to learn [it] fast and just be on our A game,” Caffrey said. “Having to learn the music in such a short amount of time and then be expected to have all these words memorized and so many notes… is very difficult.”
The rehearsals, which took place on Jan. 7, 9 and 11, each lasted four to five hours and took place at Paramus High School.
Junior Lucas Guerrero, a Bass I who has been in the ensemble for three years, said he enjoyed the atmosphere at rehearsals.
“Everyone is very attentive because we only have so much time to prepare,” Guerrero said.
He said of the six pieces the ensemble performed, his favorite was the closer, “Ain’t No Grave Can Hold My Body Down” by Paul Caldwell and Sean Ivory.
“The song is a traditional spiritual that portrays perseverance and resilience,” Guerrero said. “The song, overall, is very catchy and has meaningful, emotional lyrics that the audience can relate to.”
Choir director Ms. Wise said she attributes the ensemble’s success this year to the record number of applicants from Bergen County and the talent of the admitted students.
“We had the most auditions in the past six years, so we were able to really pick the upper echelon of musicians,” Wise said. “Just learning the repertoire, even in the first rehearsal, a lot of the directors commented that this is a really good [ensemble].”
The group was led and conducted by Nicole Doyle, the choir director at East Brook Middle School in Paramus. Other vocal instructors, including Wise, assisted at the auditions and rehearsals.
Wise said she commends the Bergen County Choir for providing vocalists with a way to test their skills, grow as singers and make new friends.
“I do think, despite the fact that they’re working like dogs for the whole week, that they also tend to make friendships in other schools,” Wise said. “When you’re around people who are of like interests, you get to places you could never get in your [own] school.”
