The Chardon High School Choir Department, led by choir director Fritz Streiff, took a bite out of the Big Apple during a portion of spring break...
CHS Choir in the Big Apple
The Chardon High School Choir Department, led by choir director Fritz Streiff, took a bite out of the Big Apple during a portion of spring break — March 23-26, an enriching trip filled with music-making, sights, memories and friendships.
Experiences included attending Broadway shows “Wicked,” “Hadestown” and “Six,” touring Radio City Music Hall and participating in two workshops — one with a renowned choral conductor from New York City and the other learning song and dance with original cast members from the show “Six.”
Additionally, choir students listened to the St. Thomas Boys Choir singing at St. Thomas Cathedral, set sail on a boat tour of the harbor and visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Quality time was also spent connecting with five Chardon alumni who now reside in NYC, including Rebecca Moser (‘12), Natalie Clark (‘14), Jill Allenby (‘13), Ian Taylor (‘13) and Stephen Blauch (‘17).
Mr. Streiff stated of the alumni, “They shared with the students about living and working in NYC. They range in careers from design engineering, finance, advertising, musical theater and information technology.”
Commenting on the entire four-day field trip, Mr. Streiff added, “Thank you to everyone that participated in this special adventure. It was a pleasure traveling with you.”
Hilltoppers and All That Jazz
The Chardon High School Jazz Orchestra, under the leadership of CHS band director Melissa Lichtler, participated in the Lakeland Community College 51st annual Jazz Festival on March 17. The Hilltopper musicians performed for a public audience, visiting high school jazz groups and a panel of jazz adjudicators.
Selections performed by CHS Jazz included “Second Line” by Victor Goines, “Work Song” by Nat Adderley and “Caravan” by Duke Ellington.
CHS juniors Jake Maczuzak on trombone, Mak Gumpf on alto sax and Alex Pedersen on tenor sax received special commendations from the judges for their solo work.
Following the performance, CHS Jazz attended a performance clinic hosted by Dan Bruce, a nationally recognized performer, recording artist, composer and educator.
