Barbara Lawlor

Nederland

People arriving early at the Nederland Middle Senior High October Choir Concert probably thought they were too late. They could hear the harmonies leaking into the hallway outside of the auditorium.

They weren't late. They were being treated to the sound of all NMSHS warming up their voices, going through the scales, moving their lips and jaws for utmost articulation. Breathing deep, flexing their arms, shaking the pre-show jitters out of their hands.

Before the middle school-high school concert began, the Nederland Elementary School choir camp joined the group singing some basic songs, watching their high school mentors for cues. Phone cameras flashed and parents nodded to their younger children on the stage as they got used to the feel of singing before a large audience filled with family and friends.

The younger children waved into the darkness beyond the stage lights, making sure they were being seen.

Music director Liz Evans lifted her arms and silence fell over the singers and the audience as the sixth through eighth grade choirs found their places on the steps, on the stage.

Tumba, An Indian Chant, opened the concert and the audience leaned back into their seats knowing they were in for a special night. In the third number, "Flashlight," Mazie Pancoast poured out her heart into the lyrics of this powerful song.

The gang of sixth through eighth graders conquered the tongue-twisting words of the lively "Little Beggarman." These kids were perfect in their melding of voices and staying with the drumbeat.

After the sixth graders sat down, the seventh and eighth graders slowly built up the "Breakaway," bringing their voices to illustrate the coming out of darkness, the reaching to the sun. A strong, moving performance that forecasts great things to come in future years.

The competition choir, the Loquations, with Sasha Godsil leading, sang "Fix You," which left the audience stunned for a second before they shouted their approval of the beautiful arrangement and the moving presentation.

Festival choir singers shined in their mesmerizing performance of "In the Dark of Midnight," written by Andy Beck. If these younger singers can deliver a performance like this now, imagine what they will do in future years.

The night ended with a solo performance by Mariah Ingram, who adopted an unforgettable attitude in "Scar," with the rest of the Loquations accompanying her.

Over 80 NMSHS students participated in the first concert of the year.