Last Sunday, RCDS held the 27th annual tradition of the Festival Chorus Concert. Festival Chorus is made up of the Upper School’s Concert Choir as well as a group of 50 RCDS parents, grandparents, alumni, and employees. 

Last year, Music Department Chair, Mary Marcell, needed to find a way to host a virtual Festival Chorus Concert. With the help of accompanist, Kieth Burton, and Computer Science teacher, Don Fitz-Roy, Marcell was able to merge 150 audio and video tracks recorded all over the world in one fantastic musical experience. 

Thankfully, this concert was moved back into the PAC. Due to the large volume of singers, Ms. Marcell needed to be inventive. The audience was virtual, tuning in through a live stream. With the camera operator, conductor, instrumentalists, and soloists on stage, the singers performed from the theater’s seating.

Featuring the music of Dan Forrest, Dolly Parton, and others, the concert’s themes were renewal, reconnection, and reawakening. The show featured solos from Senior Magdalene Aideyan and Junior Cater Appleyard. In addition to the student vocal performers, Junior Emilie Ward beautifully accompanied the chorus with the violin.