On Sept. 19, sophomore Brennan Dale did not join the usual crush for the bus line. Instead, he spent the next two hours in a practice room with only a piano and an iPad to keep him company.
In late August, chorus teacher Christopher Hickey announced audition dates for the upcoming pop concert, an annual tradition of songs, dance and fun. Although the concert also consists of three group performances, the main attraction of the show is the collection of student soloists, duets and ensembles that fill the rest of the hour. Since chorus is a group activity by nature, the pop concert allows students to explore their own musical ability apart from the crowd and beyond the usual classical pieces, giving Hickey the unique opportunity to work with each student individually.
“[When auditioning by yourself] you get a chance for Mr. Hickey to really see you shine,” Dale said. “And in a way, that’s something I definitely want to do.”
Pop concert auditions are open to any student at Hagerty, even those not taking choir as an elective. For senior Kaia Williams, who auditioned the song “Love is a Battlefield” by Pat Benatar, the ability to hone her craft outside a set curriculum is refreshing.
“I love being loud, and I feel like singing is a good way to let go of that energy whenever I have a build-up,” Williams said.
As opposed to previous years, Hickey opened auditions to staff this year, inspired by the numerous videos his students had shown him of other teachers singing.
“Kids [would] show me videos…and I’m like, oh my God, this is so exciting,” Hickey said. “I think it’ll be fun trying to get the teachers involved in some events like this so that kids get to know more about their teachers beyond just the regular class stuff.”
Science teacher Hunter Cannan eagerly hopped on board with the idea, pushed by the steady encouragement of students and friends. A “choir kid” his whole life, Canaan felt right at home auditioning.
“I’ve sung way too many times [to be nervous],” Canaan said. “[Singing has] just been a thing forever: middle school, high school, college, now. If I can let myself be felt through the song, then it’s a successful song–it’s a good one and it allows me to enjoy the best part of singing.”
Canaan’s confidence was not widespread. Senior Angela Espenscheid, a choir member since fifth grade, only summoned the courage to audition this year.
“It’s easier to be confident in myself when I sing as a group versus singing by myself…[but] I’m running out of time,” Espenscheid said. “It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do, and I wanted to at least try to say that I did try.”
Out of 35 student soloists who auditioned, only 16 made the cut. The song lineup for the concert includes classics like “If I Can Dream” by Elvis Presley and “My Way” by Frank Sinatra. Hickey selects these performances based on student readiness, audience interest and how well the song fits the “Oldies” theme. Regardless of who gets in and who doesn’t, Hickey encourages all students to keep singing, a skill not only to be wielded but cherished.
Dale, who did not make the cut, shares similar sentiments.
“I was originally sad, but [next year] I get to go in way more prepared, and I’ve got greater confidence in myself,” Dale said. “[The experience taught me] that when someone says no, it’s never the final no. I’m going to keep doing what I love [regardless].”
The pop concert will be held on Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available online for $5.
