Do Re Mi Diaries

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Back in Action - Caroline Hunter

An update from Junior, Caroline Hunter

As someone who has sung in Carnegie Hall, the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Eastern Division Conference, and countless nursing homes, I can honestly say that this is the most insane year I’ve ever had as a student in the choral program at Nazareth Area High School.

The choir and class, Nightingales, has always been focused on not only singing great repertoire but also traveling to nursing homes such as Gracedale, Moravian Hall Square and Alexandria Manor in Nazareth. Our goal is to sing for people who could use a smile; or “Spread Joy Through Music'', as Mrs. Rocchi likes to say.

Nightingales' rehearsals have always been a place filled with hugs and holding hands, but now, we cannot do that. At the beginning of the year, I was saddened by the thought of not being able to do what Nazareth Chorus has always done. Some of my best memories are from delivering Jingle Grams to students while wearing obnoxiously ugly Christmas sweaters with NoteWorthy or singing ‘Amazing Grace’ next to Mrs. Rocchi as tears ran down her face. She's quite emotional if you didn't know!

What can we substitute those unforgettable connections with? As I write this nostalgic blog post on October 15th, I can honestly say we’re working tirelessly to figure out just that. Earlier this week, the Nightingales had their first Zoom-performance with residents in the Skilled Nursing unit at Moravian Hall Square. Each of us placed our phones on music stands so residents could see us individually as we sang through the Zoom. We presented about 30 minutes of music and are looking forward to doing this again soon! Concert Choir will experience this as well in the near future.

The Nightingales will be heading back to Carnegie Hall but not until January of 2022. We will remain working hard this year to hone our talents....and Mrs. Rocchi has even added in some different things to our rehearsals -- like yoga!

Nazareth Chorus will not be drowned, we are simply building a bridge.

Cantus and NoteWorthy, smaller select choirs at the high school, are back up and running again as well. Rehearsals take place mostly outdoors with masks and we're thankful for the beautiful fall weather!

A few videos to share...

The Nightingales have been split up by their last names in order to fit the Hybrid Learning model. First up is Group 1 - this has students in it with last names A - K.

Group 1 - Last Names L - Z!

Our new way of connecting with the world through music!

Our new chorus room (the LGI) is beginning to take shape! The seniors have begun to make posters that will hang in our classroom all year. We will slowly make this room our home!

Monday, September 28, 2020

Different….But Still Amazing

Although Concert Choir may look very different this year due to COVID 19, it is still the warm, welcoming place we have come to love. While many things are starkly different, some important things remain unchanged.

One thing that never changes is our motivated and enthusiastic teacher, Mrs. Rocchi. However, now she wears a mask and a microphone.

Now, we get to see her from different angles as she did her introductory speech in video format. Hope your sunburn feels better!!!

Our classroom is new for us as we moved from the chorus room to the LGI. The same great music will be made in this new room. We’ll just be a bit farther apart as we do it!

Mrs. Rocchi spent her summer learning new ways to use technology in these times of social distancing. In our new, larger room this is extremely important so that we all can get the same information from a distance.

This year, we also have new ways of doing discussions. Padlet affords us the opportunity to share information even when we can not get together in small groups. When it comes to pet peeves, we all had a chance to share a little bit through an exercise during class.

One popular trend that is good to follow is the love of the Broadway hit “Hamilton”. Mrs. Rocchi is not going to “throw away her shot” as using this show as the basis of our current instruction. Her admiration of Lin-Manuel Miranda will be our guiding light through this difficult time.

In a world where everything seems upside down since the start of the COVID pandemic, we all are counting on Concert Choir to offer a bit of “normal” to our week. Our days at school certainly look different, but the feel of making music can still be the same. It can brighten the darkest days and offer hope for the future.

According to Socrates, “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but building the new.” In our Concert Choir, we will make every effort to build a “new” that is as good as, or better than, the “old”.

Stay strong and think positively.

Monday, February 24, 2020

Chorus Invitational - 2020

This past weekend, the Men of Nazareth (MON) and Nightingales traveled to State College High School to participate in a Chorus Invitational hosted by Dr. Anthony Leach and Essence 2 LTD.

It was an early departure and a long ride on route 80!

But the students passed the time with relaxing....and of course singing!

We were SOOO excited that Rachel Flicker was able to join us. Rachel accompanied choirs, and especially the Nightingales, for 6 years while being a student at Nazareth Area Middle and High Schools!!! She is now a Freshman at Penn State University majoring in Music Education with an emphasis in piano.

We got a chance to get warmed up...

And sing for Dr. Leach. This entire concert was a project organized by Dr. Leach. All of the directors who brought choirs had been past students of his while at Penn State. There were 7 choirs in attendance and they all combined together to sing two pieces directed by Dr. Leach.

We then had a quick lunch and prepped for the concert..

Quick pep talk!

Looking good!

Off we go!

All of our music came from the African-American tradition. This music is beautiful and powerful and can be both heartbreaking and exhilarating!

We then had a bit of time to head up the hill to Penn State University.

Nazareth Nightingales

Men of Nazareth

A few of us went to THON!!!

And others went to the Creamery!

And got back on the bus to make the trip home to Nazareth!

I think the following from Giovy, a new member of Nightingales, perfectly sums up out day:

"I remember walking off the stage after we performed and having goosebumps. I got teary-eyed and I tried to keep it together but I couldn't. I don't think I'll ever forget Mrs. Rocchi seeing me cry and telling me "That's what we call the Nightingale Reaction. Welcome." At that moment I truly felt like a Nightingale. I think it was the experience of singing such beautiful music and the rush and the excitement of the songs, "Praise His Holy Name" and "Walk Together Children", and the emotion of "Jordan's Angels". I started to not only think of the songs but also the people that I sang them with. I began to think of how proud I was of all of my fellow Nightingales and how much I love and appreciate every single one of them and how blessed I am to be a part of something so amazing and with all of our hard work and dedication and love for music and each other, we really do create some beautiful music together."

Tuesday, May 21, 2019

Nightingales' Carnegie Hall Performance

Nightingales Make it to Carnegie Hall!

After all of the hard work of learning and perfecting the songs for our Carnegie Hall debut, the Nightingales fought an anticipated snow storm to get all the way to NYC. Because of the forecast, the trip could have been canceled. But with much help and determination from Nazareth's Blue Eagle Foundation, Principal Alan Davis, Superintendent Dr. Riker, and the wonderful Daniel Shin from the Shoreham Hotel, the day trip quickly turned into a 2 night stay in NYC. This trip led to city adventures, a memorable performance, and closer relationships among all Nightingales.

We set out bright and early Saturday morning before the travel ban could go into effect.