Early Bird Singers News from Ms. Ankuda
After a morning of rehearsals, the Early Birds were the first
ensemble to perform at the 2:30PM concert. They sang two
lyric selections called
The Water Is Wide, and
I Will Give My
Love an Apple followed by the rousing,
Joshua Fit the Battle
of Jericho. After their individual performance, they were
excellent audience members to seven other choirs. They heard
advanced groups from the New England Conservatory
Prepatory division, a likable choir from Cape Cod, The boys
of St. Paul's choir school, the Cambridge Children's Chorus,
among others. After each ensemble performed a short set of
songs, all students gathered to sing an energetic finale called
All God’s Children Got Rhythm. They enjoyed this
opportunity to sing with hundreds of other choir members all
at once!
The Big Sing is a non-competitive event, meaning that
ensembles are not scored or ranked. There is, however, and
adjudicator. This year’s adjudicator was Dr. George Case from
The Boston Conservatory. Dr. Case provided Ms. Ankuda
with helpful feedback about her conducting. About the Early
Bird Singers, he noted their “gorgeous vowels and concept of
legato,” and commented on the "wonderful spirit and open,
giving music making.” Ms. Ankuda received more feedback
from the director of the Handel and Haydn Society Choir in an
email stating that “the Early Bird Singers were so
unbelievably charming to watch. My middle school choir, who
is normally quite stingy with having any kind of opinion, was
effusive with compliments today when I saw them.” These
middle school students requested to sing one of the Early
Birds’ selections because they liked it so much in the concert!
Likewise, the Early Bird Singers have set out to learn a Gilbert
and Sullivan arrangement of “I Have A Song to Sing, O!”
after being inspired by another choir that day.
Although the Early Birds are technically an excellent singing
ensemble, it is clear that their sense of humor, joie de vivre,
and kindness shine through each time they sing together. The
Early Bird Singers will be featured in a concert in the Peabody
Auditorium on May 22nd at 9:15AM in the Peabody
auditorium.