Skipping the typical first-week curriculum of syllabi and classroom procedures, the Hagerty Singers, Advanced Women’s Choir, Huskafellas, Concert Choir and Voices of Hagerty are preparing to come together for a back-to-school potluck, followed by their first concert of the year on Tuesday, Aug. 26.

The event will begin at 6 p.m. with a potluck in the cafeteria; guests are then welcomed into the auditorium for a concert showcasing all five choirs.  The show will follow the theme “All You Need Is Love,” featuring pop songs ranging from “Brighter than the Sun” by Colbie Caillat to the more bitter “Taylor Swift kind of love songs,” according to junior Kasey Brizendine.

Unlike the typical choir concert, only two weeks of preparation will precede the performance, forcing singers to work even  harder in class, on their own and after school. Due to this limited practice time, director Tori Rathbun began preparing each choir on the first day of school, and members have been working to learn, memorize and perfect the music ever since.

“It’s a short period of time so we really have to drill [the music] over and over to get all of the words memorized,” junior Leslie Gallagher said.

According to senior Adriana Caamano, however, the main focus of the concert will be to get choir-related information out to parents.  Families of choir members will have the opportunity to visit booths regarding fees and concert attire fittings.

“It’s a fun way for our chorus to interact with the parents and show them what the plan is for the entire year,” Caamano said. “We’re not singing a lot of songs.”

While the informational session is intended for parents, everyone is invited to hear what the choir department has to offer this year.