‘Come Alive’: Musicians, singers perform in Spring Concert, celebrate seniors
The Dining Hall came alive with the sound of music during this year’s Spring Concert.
On Tuesday, Apr. 17 and Wednesday, Apr. 18, the upper and middle school a cappella groups, choirs and orchestras performed in front of a nearly sold-out audience.
The middle school orchestra opened the show with “Presto” by Robert Sheldon. For the finale, all participants performed the song “Come Alive,” from the 2017 film “The Greatest Showman,” which stars Hugh Jackman and Michelle Williams.
The upper school choir performs “Dancing Queen” by Swedish pop group ABBA, while led by choir director Theresa Bailey. This is Bailey’s first year as Choir Director.
Seniors were presented with flowers from middle schoolers, and Orchestra Director Susan Smith and Choir Director Theresa Bailey made speeches.
“All [the musicians] have been a part of the orchestra program their entire Archer careers. I’ve been teaching most of them since they were little sixth graders,” Smith said during her speech. “I’m going to miss their musical talents — but more than that, I’m going to miss them as people.”
Smith also expressed her warm wishes for the seniors’ future endeavors.
“They have turned into these awesome young women,” she said. “I wish them all the best when they go off to college.”
Senior Dominique White, who joined the choir in ninth grade, felt that Bailey’s leadership helped improve this year’s choir.
“I really like Ms. Bailey. I’m going to miss her a lot,” White said. “Her song choices were really good.”
Seniors Anna Allgeyer, Omari Benjamin and Dominique White pose with flowers following the performance on Wednesday, Apr. 18. All three girls sing.
Jayla Brown ’18, who also joined orchestra freshman year, similarly expressed her appreciation for Orchestra Director Susan Smith.
“Music has been a really big part of my life. It’s a place I always go to when I’m upset, and it makes me really happy,” Brown said. “I’ve made a family in the orchestra, and Ms. Smith has been an incredible teacher.”
Brown shared a lesson about unity that Smith has taught her that she hopes to carry with her into the future.
“Ms. Smith always says that, ‘Playing together would be better,'” Brown said. “And that’s very true. So hopefully in college I will learn that it is important to work as a team and not as an individual.”
The video above shows clips of the concert.
Cat Oriel joined the Oracle staff as a contributing writer in 2015, was promoted to Voices Editor in 2017 and is now the News and Features Editor. She...
