Each quarter, the choir puts on a concert. Winter Fantasia, the choir’s winter performance, is by far the most popular. This concert incorporates every section of the music department.
“[Winter Fantasia] is probably our most exciting and most attended [concert]. It’s really enjoyable because you get to hear all of the music departments like the band, the orchestra, and the choir, and it’s all just holiday music that everybody knows,” said junior Elle Pendleton.
Organizing a show that utilizes all music departments can be difficult. It takes time to put together a show this big.
“Once we get back from fall break, it’s all we do. We prepare for it, like the beginning of October until Winter Fantasia, which is right at the beginning of December, so we’re always super prepared. That’s like the only music we work on,” said junior Morgan Hollander.
Preparation takes time, but also teamwork. Each year, a new group of students needs to be trained and incorporated into the choir dynamic for Fantasia.
“We have a new group of people, so it’s always interesting to help new people learn stuff that we know. Also, learning stuff together as a group and getting new music,” said Hollander.
In addition to gaining new voices, many students transfer into and out of different choir sections. This can lead to a shift in the collective group sound.
“I have been in choir for four years, Aria for two years in the beginning, and then Acapella for two,” said senior Taylor Hanen.
Other than student changes, this year, Winter Fantasia’s choir set is facing a few changes.
“Acapella is doing more songs this year than we did last year, so it’s been a bit more intense in class, just having to go through more pieces of music,” said Hanen.
Rehearsals are essential to polishing and perfecting new music. With more pieces than usual, rigorous rehearsals are necessary.
“[In a normal rehearsal] we are either running the music or we are constantly learning. Mrs. Hampton does a really good job of preparing us,” said freshman Alton Niemiere.
Finally, after months of preparation, the choir gets the chance to showcase their work to the community. Usually, the turnout is high.
“It’s a really big thing around here, like a lot of people come to it, so it’s always a lot of fun and something to look forward to. Also, we do four performances, when we normally have one,” said Hollander.
Many students that have participated in years past take a moment to reflect on past Fantasia concerts.
“As a senior, it’s different because it’s more emotional knowing it’s going to be my last one, but overall, I think it’ll be just the same, just as successful, just as good as other years,” said Hanen.
Overall, Winter Fantasia is highly anticipated by many students as well as the community.
“Winter Fantasia is so much bigger than all the other concerts. I mean, it combines all the things like orchestra, choir, band, handbells, all of them, which I think is really cool,” said Hollander.
To purchase tickets to one of many Winter Fantasia shows and support FC music programs, check FC music program’s Instagrams for the link.
Include some sensory details and storytelling. Features thrive on emotion and specificity. Think: How does the gym or auditorium transform? What do rehearsals look or sound like? What’s the energy backstage?
Readers unfamiliar with choir levels (Aria vs. Acapella) might feel lost. One line explaining the difference solves this.