The Choraliers 2017 Spring Production: “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”
The Choralier cast
of The Hunchback of Notre Dame in a group photo located on the Clover
Choraliers' Facebook page. Photo taken by
Todd Holben. https://www.facebook.com/CloverChoraliers
By CORI ERWIN
DECEMBER 8, 2016
Last Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday
the Clover High School Choraliers performed the musical production “The
Hunchback of Notre Dame” which is based on a novel written by Victor Hugo and
songs from the Disney film according to the show’s playbill.
On the opening night of the
performance the high school’s auditorium was packed with people from the local
community as well as some who traveled from out of town to see the Choraliers
sing and dance in their rendition of the musical.
The performance consisted of 26
songs including “Topsy Turvy,” “God Help the Outcasts” and “Hellfire” from the
Disney version of the production according to the show’s playbill.
From the moment the Choraliers took
the stage with their first song, “The Bells of Notre Dame,” the audience fell
silent. With the exception of the
applause given at the end of a musical number or scene, most of the people
watching the performance remained still and appeared focused on the voices
coming from the stage.
Students
danced and sang in colorful medieval costumes representing gypsies, soldiers,
gargoyles, and more as they took the audience through the story of Quasimodo, a
hunchback living under the control of the cruel priest Frollo. Other characters such as the gypsy Esmerelda,
the soldier Phoebus, and the gypsy king Clopin added romance and humor into the
production.
According to Brenda Seaford, an audience
member who has attended at least eight previous performances, “The Hunchback of
Notre Dame” was a very moving story and her favorite performance so far.
“The story of the Hunchback is one
of love, acceptance, and commitment that exposes good vs. evil, even when in a
deceptive form,” said Seaford. “The
musical arrangements were well written to support the story, and the students
did an excellent job in their acting and portrayal of the story. Additionally, the props gave great support to
the actors and scenes.”
Toni McElvain, another member of the
audience who lives in the Southwest, said she was in town to visit family when
she went to her first Choraliers performance on opening night of the
production.
“I could not believe that those
strong, professional singing voices were coming out of high school kids. And
how they changed each scene so quickly in such a confined area. There were times I actually felt like I was
in the bell tower,” said McElvain.
However, this production was not
born overnight. The Choraliers spent
many hours rehearsing their lines, songs, and choreography before it was
finally show time.
Because Choralier Director Jay
Forrest was occupied preparing for the group’s spring performance, Assistant
Director Meredith Cornwall collaborated with him and Assistant Director
Jonathan Bush to explain the success of the program and the mechanics behind
the Choraliers’ performances.
According to Cornwell, who has been
with the program for nine years now, the first step is always deciding what to
perform. She said, “There are many, many
factors that go into choosing the show- the strengths of the particular group
of students, making the show work with 110 students, budget, set, etc.”
Rehearsals begin in February at the Ridgecrest
Winter Workshop where students spend an entire weekend working on dance
routines and learning the music. It is
here that they also audition for parts in the play.
“A lead role in a musical must not
only be able to sing well, but sing well in the style of the show, act and
dance,” said Cornwell.
Morghan Davidson, a Choralier alumni
who was in the program for three years, is now in her junior year at Clemson
University, and she said she remembers the rehearsal process well.
“We
prepared with rehearsal every day during school for an hour, and then we had a
two to three hour rehearsal every Monday night the entire year. We also had an
all-day Saturday rehearsal the Saturday before the final show,” said Davidson.
According to Garrett McCord, a
freshman currently in the Choraliers program, his schedule while preparing for
the rehearsal was very demanding. “We
worked very hard and ran numbers multiple times to ensure that they were
correct,” said McCord.
According to the Choraliers
homepage, students in the program have been first place State Champions in the South
Carolina Choral Concert Festival for 12 years. They have also performed on the Bahamas/Royal
Caribbean Cruise Line, at numerous choral festivals in various states, and as a
special guest with The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra.
According to Cornwell, Director Jay Forrest’s passion,
leadership, and teaching skills have led to the Choraliers’ rising success
since the program was founded in 1994.
“They
have been together as long as Mr. Forrest has been here,” said Cornwell. “Under his leadership, the program grew. At the beginning, I'm sure they were not
doing productions like Hunchback.
However, we have been doing complete musicals for quite some time.”
The
Choraliers’ reach has spread beyond the classroom as they have grown more
successful over the years. According to
McElvain, these students convinced her that today’s youth can make good choices
and impact those around them.
She said, “We hear so much on the
news of kids who are lost and have no discipline or goals. As I watched these Choraliers perform, it is
apparent to me that our next generation is talented, disciplined, and can
definitely make a difference and move a community to tears as they tell a story
of unconditional love through music.”
Seaford agreed that the Choraliers
have impacted those around them, including their fellow students.
“The Choraliers’ performances always
provide hope and encouragement to other students in the area which sends the
message that they can exceed their expectations in whatever field they
choose. Hard work and commitment are important
for any task or goal,” she said. “The
additional message is that when a team works together, the presentation is
always greater.”
According to Davidson, the Choraliers
program has benefitted the students in it as well as the local community.
“The work done by the Choraliers
affects the students by teaching them that if they want something, they are
going to have to work for it,” said Davidson. “The Choraliers also typically go caroling or
sing in a nursing home near Christmas which spreads cheer in the community.”
Cornwell agrees that the program
benefits numerous people in the local community.
“Many
parents have told me that Choraliers is the reason kids love to come to school,
or that Choraliers gave their students something to be passionate about. I see students grow in confidence, poise,
leadership, and social skills,” she said.
In
regards to the program’s effect on the community as a whole, Cornwell said, “I
think Choraliers has brought the community together in many ways, too. If you come to our shows, you see that the
district auditorium is packed all three nights.”
According
to McElvain, she was very touched by the production and thankful to those who
made it happen.
“God
bless these beautiful young people, directors, musicians, and everyone else who
dedicated their time and talents to this little community,” she said. “And to the parents who spent many nights
running their kids around and rearranging their schedules so their son or
daughter could attend each rehearsal. I
was truly blessed, and I will never forget the night I was privileged to hear
the Choraliers!”
More
information on the Choraliers can be found on their official homepage provided
in the link below.
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