Follies reaches ‘Heights’ with Miranda’s music
All photos by Marta Dixon Kolar
Five choirs, twenty-three songs, one night. Traditionally the most popular choral event of the year, the 2017 Fall Follies did not disappoint. Now that another amazing show has come to an end, it’s time to take a moment and reflect on the hard work and hours put into the production.
Moana. Hamilton. In The Heights. Bring it On. Known for his revolutionary work in the musical community, the Fall Follies theme for this year was the music of Lin-Manuel Miranda.
This year’s choice allowed opportunities for individuals to experiment with a new form of expression. From the seniors’ final goodbyes to the freshmen’s first experiences, students once again wowed not only the crowd, but themselves.
“Participating in music ensembles teaches you that everyone is important,” said Mrs. Hester, who has taught at Cary-Grove for 13 years. “It teaches you how to be responsible, how to work under pressure, manage nervousness, and recover from setbacks.”
Students who only expect to learn how to sing and dance will be surprised. In the music department, every participant gains not just performance experience, but a better understanding of themselves, others, and the world around them.
They learn how to be apart of something greater than themselves, and understand a form of expression that was foreign to them before. Even the most timid of individuals find that there is always a place on stage for them.
“Taking choir says nothing about the expressive qualities,” Mrs. Hester said. “You connect with music, and see how it helps you be an emotionally open and intelligent person when you share experiences with others and express yourself.”
Even the most reluctant singers or dancers can discover an entirely new aspect of themselves they may not have known before. With so many students taking rigorous classes, sometimes it is hard to find a moment between the heavy workloads and deadlines to take a breather. Adding choir to your schedule is the perfect opportunity to try something different and have a period to get up and move around.
With the promise of another successful Follies in the near future, individuals are encouraged to take a leap of faith and try something new. No matter who you are or what you sound like, there is always a place for you in the C-G choir department.