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Jules Figurelli

Both the middle school and high school choirs perform a selection of pieces, including “Ad Astra” by Max Richter and “Shenandoah,” a folk song. "We had a chance to have a first run through of everything," guest conductor Dan Gregerman said. "Then the students split into what we call sectionals, where they each rehearsed in their part with somebody else, working on some of the things that I said that I thought we needed to do. Then we came back together, we ran it again, and then basically came out and did the concert."

On Oct. 28, 2025, students from LHS’s feeder schools — Oak Grove, Highland and Rondout — joined high school choir members for the annual Choir Festival. Throughout the day, students sang together in the Main Gym before returning for their evening performance. 

“It’s great for the middle school kids to get together with their other counterpart schools,” said Dr. Jeff Brown, the LHS Choir Director. “If they have a small choir at their school, they don’t always get the chance to sing with a lot of people. That’s an exciting thing to do, so I’m always pleased.”

The combined junior high choirs performed “Over the Rainbow/What A Wonderful World” arranged by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole and “Feeling Good” from “The Roar Of The Grease Paint and The Smell Of The Crowd.” Each school’s ensemble spent over two months preparing these songs, and today was their first chance to practice together.

“I kind of separated each part, and we worked individually on each part, and then we brought it together,” Ms. Anna Aussman, the Rondout Music Education teacher, said about the rehearsal experience.

The high school students followed with a Halloween-themed song selection. Performing Greg Glipin’s arrangement of “Monster Mash” and the iconic “Phantom of the Opera – Title Song,” each student set the audience in a festive mood in preparation for the spookiest day of the year. 

“It came together very well,” said Dr. Brown. “I was very nervous about Monster Mash because we hadn’t had a lot of time to practice, but it came together. Phantom of the Opera, I knew was going to sound good.”

For their finale, all students came together and formed a mass choir with students from ages 11 to 18. With each song, students were seen swaying to the rhythm and dancing to the beat. 

Unlike most choir concerts, this mass choir was conducted by Mr. Daniel Gregerman, a retired choral director from Niles North High School. There, he built award-winning choirs and founded the NNHS Vocal Jazz Program. A published author and 2014 John LaPorta Jazz Educator of the Year, his ensembles earned national recognition and performed with several top jazz artists.

“I just have a passion for instilling music in children and watching them get the excitement of singing and having music fill their souls,” said Gregerman. 

Starting with a traditional American Folk Song, the group poured their heart and soul into “Shenandoah,” with Ms. Aussman featured on the flute. 

“Flute is my primary instrument, so I just played through it and practiced during rehearsal [to be successful in the performance],” said Ms. Aussman.

To end their concert, students performed “Ad Astra” by Jacob Narverud. Radiating a message of hope through the lyrics, the rhythm contributes to the uplifting ambiance.

“My favorite song of the night has to be Ad Astra, because it’s rhythmic and fun,” sophomore Matt Giovanetti said.

As one of their main recruiting events, the festival allows middle schoolers to experience being a part of the LHS choir department and receive instruction from LHS choir directors. 

“This is kind of our fun concert with the middle schoolers,” sophomore Josie Phillips said. “It’s just like for them to see what high school choir is like. It was a lot of fun.”

Beyond events like the festival, choir students stay connected through a variety of activities throughout the year.“Obviously, we have concerts,” senior Katie Baker, Choir President, said. “But we also sing at senior homes, went roller skating this year, and plan to volunteer at Feed My Starving Children. We always do a Secret Santa at Christmas — it’s really fun.”

As Dr. Brown bid farewell to the audience, he specifically highlighted this connection. While entering high school may seem daunting to young teens, Dr. Brown believes that finding a group makes the journey far less difficult. “Look up and down your row, these are your people,” said Dr. Brown.

The festival served as more than a field trip and concert; it was a celebration of connection through music, showing younger singers that choir is more than just music, but about finding meaningful connections in a larger school community.

While the middle schoolers return to their schools, the LHS choirs will perform again in the Butler Lake Auditorium for their December holiday concert.