Welcome to the Do Re Mi Diaries!
If you don’t know me, I’m Addie Giesler, one of two Blog Managers here at the NAHS choral program. My goal for the 2025-26 school year is to shed some light on the work, effort, dedication, and passion that is present behind the scenes at Nazareth in our music department, and to kick off the year I thought I’d start with a brief introduction of all our officers!
Last spring, we elected officers to represent and assist us in the coming school year, in both Concert Choir (the non-auditioned SATB choir class that takes place during Block 3 BDF days) and Nightingales (the select SSAA choir class that takes place during block 3 ACE days). Don’t be fooled though, those aren’t the only choir opportunities we offer here at Nazareth! We also have Cantus: the auditioned SATB choir that takes place Tuesday and Thursday mornings before school, Noteworthy: the SSAA a capella choir that is student directed by senior Jillian Schnyderite and assistant directed by junior Brooke Hellwig, Crescendudes: the TTBB a capella choir student directed by junior Quincy Johnson and assistant directed by junior Andrew Sodano, and Four Horsemen: the TTBB barbershop quartet student directed by junior Andrew Sodano, as well as their alternates directed by senior Hunter Hinkel.
Of course, we couldn’t do it without Mrs. Rocchi, our fearless leader and choir director who keeps us working hard and shapes our incredible choral education here at Nazareth!
Now, with all the introduction out of the way, let’s meet the officers tasked with making sure all these choirs run smoothly!
First off is Concert Choir President, Isa Murteira, a senior alto two who is also a member of Cantus, Nightingales, Noteworthy, and Bel Canto Youth Chorus. Isa is also an active participant in clubs outside of choir, such as theater, SADD club, Interact Club, and Debate here at Nazareth. She is most excited for all the new ideas we’re bringing to the choral department, and to sing with her best friends.
Next is Adalyn Harris, our Nightingales President, and a senior singing soprano two in both Nightingales and Cantus. She is also involved in Debate, Theatre, and an out-of-school rock band called Eclipse. When asked, Addy said, “I’m most excited to see all my friends from choir and theater and to have the honor to be president of and sing with Nightingales one more time.”
Adalyn wanted to share the quote, “Forget the bad parts, you don’t need them. Just take the music, the goodness, because it’s the best, and it’s the part I give most willingly.” -George Harrison
Next up, I thought I’d introduce myself, Addie Giesler, a junior who sings soprano one in Cantus and Bel Canto Youth Chorus, and soprano two in Nightingales, Concert Choir, and Noteworthy . Outside of choir, I also do theatre, Open Mic, and NAHS Concert Band. This school year, I am serving as one of two Nightingales Librarians, and the Nightingales’ elected Blog Manager. For this school year, I am most excited to get the opportunity to document all the wonderful things we do in Nazareth Choir, and get others to see how much goes into this program!
My fellow Nightingales Librarian (and very close friend) is Brooke Hellwig, another junior who is a member of Nightingales, Cantus, Noteworthy, Concert Choir, and St. John’s Lutheran Church Choir. She sings every treble voice part: soprano one, soprano two, alto one, and alto two, in the numerous choirs she’s a part of. She says she is very excited to see all the new repertoire that we’re going to be starting this year! According to Brooke, it’s always exciting every year.
The quote she wanted to share was her own work: “Roses are red, violets are blue, if you lose your folder, I will hurt you (with a stern talking to)”. So keep track of your music folders, Nightingales!
Next I’d like to introduce the Concert Choir elected librarians, starting with Andrew Sodano, a junior who is in Concert Choir, Cantus, Crescendudes, Four Horsemen, Four Horsemen, and Bel Canto Youth Chorus. Andrew sings tenor two and bass one, and is most looking forward to being able to spend time with all his friends again! When not in chorus, Andrew participates in theatre, PA Media and Design Competition, and is an Allentown Film Festival finalist.
The second Concert Choir librarian is junior Benton Mason, a bass two member of Concert Choir, Cantus, Crescendudes, Four Horsemen, and Bel Canto Youth Chorus. Benton is most excited to work with peers and make music a fun experience for everyone! He is also involved in NAHS Swim, Block of Rock, and NAHS Marching Band, and wants you to know that if you ever need anything to please feel free to reach out to him in any way, as he wants choir to be a fun and inviting experience for all!
That brings us to the third Concert Choir librarian, Quincy Johnson, a junior singing tenor one in Concert Choir, Cantus, Crescendudes, Four Horsemen, and Bel Canto Youth Chorus. Quincy also does theatre, and is most excited for the PMEA festivals.
On a different note, the Concert Choir Treasurer this year is Evan Stitt, a junior who sings tenor one in Concert Choir, Cantus, Crescendudes, and Four Horsemen Alternates. He also participates in Cross Country, Theater, and Filmmaking. Evan is most excited to competing in the Roxbury Invitational this year!
The Nightingales Treasurer, Taylor Long, is a junior as well, and other than that is a member of Cantus and Noteworthy, singing alto two in both. Outside of choir, she is a part of the NAHS Orchestra, Chamber Ensemble, and Art Club. For her junior year, she is most excited to visit colleges and plan for her future!
The final group to introduce you to is the Social Media Managers! Not every blog post you see this year is going to come from me, as Concert Choir also elected a Blog Manager themselves. This is Heather Mengel, a senior involved in Concert Choir, Nightingales, Cantus, Bel Canto Youth Chorus and her own church’s youth choir, singing soprano one and two. Outside of choir, Heather is a part of Junk Kouture, Shakespeare Comp, Open Mic, and EagleVision.
Heather chose to share the quote “There is a story behind every person. There’s a reason why they are here. Think about that before you judge someone.” -Levi Ackerman
Riley Radomski is a social media manager for Nightingales, a junior who sings soprano one in both Nightingales and Bel Canto Youth Chorus. Outside of choir, Riley does theatre, student government, and SADD club. Riley is most excited this coming year to “reconnect with the Nightingale fam and make sure we all look good in pictures!”
The quote she chose to share is “Music Speaks Well When Words Fail.”
A fellow Nightingale social media manager is senior Jillian Schnyderite, a senior who participates in Concert Choir, Nightingales, Cantus, Noteworthy, Bel Canto Youth Chorus, and her church’s choir. She covers every treble voice part, singing soprano one, soprano two, alto one, and alto two in all these ensembles. She is most excited for PMEA festivals in the 2025-26 school year!
The quote Jillian wanted to share was, “where words fail, music speaks”
The next social media manager on the list is Julieta Diazgranados, a senior in Nightingales, Cantus, Noteworthy, and Bel Canto Youth Chorus. Julieta sings soprano two, alto one, and alto two. When asked, Julieta said, "I am most excited for learning new music, bonding with everyone, concerts, and Roxbury!!!" Outside of Choir, Julieta runs cross country and participates in Block of Rock.
Finally, last but certainly not least is our Concert Choir social media manager, senior Tristan Mannix. Tristan sings Bass one in Concert Choir, Cantus, and Crescendudes, and outside of choir participates in theatre, EagleVision News, and Open Mic. According to Tristan, he is most excited to "hang out with old friends, and hopefully make some new ones" in the 2025-26 school year.
Now that you've met all your Nazareth Choral Department Officers, and gotten acquainted with all the wonderful choir opportunities we have to offer, I hope you're ready for a big, exciting year of music, friendship, ups, downs, and everything in between. If you need anything throughout the year, never be afraid to ask one of these officers, we are here to help you, always!
So let me be the first to extend the biggest welcome to all new members, and the biggest welcome BACK to returning ones- I can't wait to see what we all accomplish this year.
Catch you next time!
Addie Giesler, Blog Manager
