The members of the Girls Choir of Wilmington, with varied heights, experience levels and ages, were hard at work Thursday, Dec. 4, rehearsing for their annual winter concert scheduled for Dec. 12.
The choir, comprised of about 75 Wilmington girls aged 9-18, began in 1997 and performs concerts throughout the year around Wilmington and festivals along the Eastern Seaboard.
Experience in the choir ranges from new additions like fourth grader Katy McCullough to 11-year veteran and high school senior Maddison Sult.
“I started really young, that’s why I am an 11-year, and most people don’t get to 11 years,” Sult said in between song rehearsals. “My family is one of those families that we make a commitment and stick to it.”
McCullough said she was attracted to the choir because of the camaraderie it brings.
“I just love to sing and I met one of my bestest friends because of my voice,” McCullough said. “I have enjoyed everything really; it is just a unique and amazing group.”
The choir practices every Thursday throughout the school year and more when preparing for a concert. Each semester choir conductor Sandy Errante gives the girls new material and ninth grader Anne Turner said adjusting to new music has become easier with more experience in the choir.
“The longer you are in the choir the easier it is to sight read and pick up on it. It is always fun to see what new songs we are going to be doing the next semester,” Turner said.
All of the girls said they look forward to singing in front of the audiences at their concerts. Although nervous at first, McCullough said she overcame her fears for the first concert this semester.
“I was kind of nervous but I had a lot of practice and knew I could do it,” she said.
Some of the girls’ favorite annual concerts are the ones that involve the Wilmington Youth Symphony Orchestra, but the sensation of hearing all 75 voices come together as one is what really drives them.
“I like singing in the group better than singing by myself,” Sult said. “As a choir you can get more out of a song whereas if you are singing by yourself you only have your set of scales.”
The Girls Choir of Wilmington winter concert, Sing We Now This Festive Day, is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Wilmington. Admission is free.
For more information visit www.
girlschoirofwilmington.org
email [email protected]
