CHORALEERS CARRY THE TUNE
By Alishba Khan
Our Saddle Brook Choraleers are, unlike the Chorus, a selective group of singers who auditioned, and were hand picked to take part in this extracurricular program. It features the best of the best tenors, sopranos, altos, and bass singers, who meet every Wednesday after school from three to four. While performing in our HS Band and Chorus concerts in the winter and spring seasons, they also take part in the All County and All Region honors choirs, as well as other competitions, taking massive successes home with them. This year, many were also able to get places in the NJSMA All-state choir, for which our school is very proud. One of the bass choraleers, senior Alan Pinzon, got to share some thoughts and experiences with us, that gives a little insight into what the choraleers is all about!
What were some of your favorite Choraleers moments from the start of this year? The auditions after the pep rally were a blast. Being in an environment of such school spirit and fun games to cheer on our individual grades was exciting. Finding out our student officers, the leadership in our choir that unites everyone was also a highlight.
How is everyone growing as musicians this year? We have a very young choirleer group this year, so we have a large learning curve to make up for. However, everyone is eager to learn fast, and is enthusiastic to step up to the plate. Some of the new members are even auditioning for the Bergen County Honor Choir, so we wish them all the most success!
What music are you looking forward to singing this year? We have always had a good repertoire. I’m most excited to find out the play and start preparing for the spring musical. We are soon performing “the awakening” by Joseph Martin, about a dream where artists and musicians alike are not celebrated. Many different ideas are illustrated through the verses, and conclude with the chorus singing “Awake…Awake…”, as they realize everything was just a bad dream. We are also performing at the Teachers Convention in Atlantic City, as well as in New York City to carol, and visit the tree at Rockefeller Center. I am really looking forward to both!
What choraleer members are representing our school at higher levels this year? We are proud to have 3 people in the NJSMA All-state choir representing Saddle Brook High: Junior AJ Stanchfield, a Tenor, sophomore Jayla Pierre, an Alto, and myself, Alan Pinzon, as Bass!