The Revere High School Symphonic Choir has rehearsed new songs to perform at the choir end of year state competition.

The symphonic choir qualified to go to states, after earning a score of 1 at their districts competition. Revere senior Meredith Zendlo leads a section of the choir this year, and she explained what the judges will consider in their rating decision.

“They rate you on things such as pitches, dynamics, tonality, rhythm, and other aspects of the performance,” Zendlo said.

Co-section leader alongside Zendlo, senior Jillian Gentry elaborated on what the choir will have to do at the state competition and how the judges organize the competition.

“[Our choir has] three pieces to perform, one that is required from a list, and [we] sing to three judges who rate [us], one being excellent to five [being] not good. Then after the vocal performance you go to sight reading, which is just reading sheet music the way it is written with solfege. Then we come back to our room to wait for the results,” Gentry said.

First year choir teacher Alice Forney chose three songs for the choir to sing at states: Emerald Stream, by Seth Houston; Alma Redemptoris Mater, by G. P. da Palestrina; and Twa Tanbou, by Sydney Guillaume. She also explained her goals for the students at states.

“My goals for the students are that they perform at their very best, and have a positive experience. Sure, a high rating would be great, but my main goal is that we perform at the top of our game, regardless of how the scores come out, and that the students experience the joy of performing some really high-level repertoire,” Forney said.

The choir rehearses every day during first period, and Zendlo mentioned that former choir instructor Dr. Deborah Devore returns to help the students improve their performance by giving them tips and helping them fix errors in their singing.

Gentry also mentioned that the choir is aiming for a 1 at states for Forney since it is her first year teaching.

The Symphonic Choir state competition took place at Highland High School on April 22, and they ended up scoring a 2.
In the spring seniors in the choir had the opportunity to perform a solo or duet at the Senior Spotlight Concert on May 3 at 7:00 pm.