Cherish the Light

Enrichment experiences such as "Cherish the Light" are not funded by TCAPS. It is because of generous donors through the Choir Parent Organization that we are able to support TC West choir students in experiencing these valuable opportunities. Please consider donating to help offset the costs of underwriting this experience (travel, hotel meeting space, food, accompaniment etc..). Thank you!

"Cherish the Light" send-off concert

What is "Cherish the Light"?

WSH Bel Canto is participating with CHS Vocal Majority and a multi-generational women's choir from Big Rapids, Voca Lyrica in a collaborative project this fall. All three ensembles are preparing music that explores the various emotions and responses to what it means to create music and come together as a community to sing together. In addition to classroom/rehearsal conversations, we are planning to combine for rehearsals and performances. The music is varied and challenging. The conversations about the emotion the music creates as well as the reflections of the text and how it pertains to us as performing artists and growing individuals is always insightful and engaging.

Our culminating presentation will be at the Michigan Music Conference featuring our collaborative choirs performing their concert music as well as sharing about the learning experiences they had during their musical journey of preparing this repertoire. The goal is to inspire choral music educators on how to plan, rehearse and ultimately share the experience of a themed concert that does not fit the “traditional” concert offering.

From Voca Lyrica...

What a pleasure it was to make music for 2½ hours with the delightful young ladies from Vocal Majority and Bel Canto!!! They had been rehearsing together since 10:00 that morning, as the two groups are from separate high schools, but both directed by “Miss Wendee.” So when we joined them at 1:00, they were already warmed up and ready to go.

The rehearsal schedule had us “mingling” with the youngsters a couple of times as we moved to a different singing space. One thing we all agreed upon was the crucial role that music plays in all of our lives and the empowerment that we feel when we sing with other women/treble voices.

Images below from 11/6/2021 rehearsal

(Voca Lyrica, WHS Bel Canto, CHS Vocal Majority)

Video of Bel Canto and Vocal Majority "Just Dance"

Schedule

Saturday, November 6 Combined Rehearsal w/ VM/BC/VL TC West SH

Sunday, December 12 Rehearsal/Concert in Big Rapids Big Rapids High School

4:00 PM 1st Concert Presentation

7:00 PM 2nd Concert Presentation

Sunday, January 23 Rehearsal/Concert with Voca Lyrica TC WSH Auditorium

3:00 PM Concert - open to the public

Friday/Saturday, January 28 - 29 Michigan Music Conference Overnight Trip Grand Rapids

Saturday Schedule

10:00 AM Michigan Music Conference presentation - “Cherish the Light” - Imperial Ballroom, Amway Grand Hotel

Images at Michigan Music Conference

Student Journal Quotes

Here you will find quotes that capture the experiences of Cherish the Light participants. It is our hope that these quotes will allow families and patrons a little insight into how our students are impacted by these quality and collaborative experiences.