By Lorraine Glowczak
Any student enrolled at Windham High School or registered as a home-schooled student living in the Windham or Raymond community is invited and eligible to audition for membership in the much-loved and harmonious Windham Chamber Singers.
Auditions for the Windham Chamber Singers will be held
starting Monday, May 23 in the Windham High School choir
room (Room 306) and must be scheduled in advance through
Chamber Singers Conductor, Dr. Richard Nickerson at
rnickerson@grsu14.org SUBMITTED PHOTO
The in-person auditions will occur the week of Monday, May 23,
in the WHS’ choir room (Room 306) and must be scheduled in advance through the
link: Windham Chamber Singers Audition or, if
the link is not readily accessible, email the Chamber Singers Conductor, Dr.
Richard Nickerson at rnickerson@grsu14.org for more details.
Although singing and performing for large crowds is the primary appeal for most student participation, Dr. Nickerson emphasizes there is more to being an active member of the Chamber Singers than one might suspect, including crucial time commitments such as tours around New England, Canada and beyond.
“Before a student decides to audition, it’s vital they know that
the Chamber Singers rehearse every Wednesday from 4 to 7 pm, and the group has
a very demanding performance schedule,” he said. “The students are also
involved in selling ads and tickets, and they make the sets you see on
stage.”
Former Chamber Singer, Gabe Ransome, expanded upon Dr.
Nickerson’s advice in a former interview.
“The performances and rehearsals keep us busy,” he said. “As a
director, mentor and friend, Dr. Nickerson pushes us to excel in the face of
adversity.”
The singers are expected to achieve in other areas of life and
school and to continue with their extra-curricular activities, which sometimes
do not provide extra time throughout the day. But instead of being daunted by
the intense schedules, students have expressed the incredible feeling of family
connection and community they experience.
Past singer Annika Johnston stated that being a part of the
group creates deep and lasting friendships since they work so closely together.
“Being a part of this group has developed a sense of pride and
community and has helped me meet and gain many new friends,” Johnston said.
WHS senior and current Chamber Singer President, Lucy Hatch,
agrees with her past counterparts.
“Whenever we are together, there is never this feeling of
seniority,” Hatch said. “It feels like a place where you can be friends with
everyone, and you can be yourself. The minor things don’t matter - what grade
you are in or how long you’ve been a member of the group – there is this sense
of mentorship among us. It’s just about being together and creating beautiful
music better.”
Junior and current Chamber member, Victoria Lin, uses her friend
and fellow member Stuart Gabbaree’s analogy of what it is like being a part of
the Chamber.
“Joining the Chamber Singers is like joining a beloved TV series
that’s been showing for nine seasons,” Lin said. “You are a part of a big cast
of characters that are close to one another – and you are just like family.”
Home-schooled students have also participated in the WHS Chamber
Singers, and it has been noted that participation in the group offers another
opportunity to meet people and often becomes a favorite social activity.
During the audition, each student will be accessed on a range of
voice, tone quality, intonation, versatility and sight-reading. However, Dr.
Nickerson noted that one does not have to be a musical genius to be a part of
the Windham Chamber Singers.
You don’t necessarily have to be the best singer or have the
best voice,” he said. “A positive and strong character matters just as much in
the selection process.”
For detailed information, go to the Windham Chamber Singers website at: https://www.windhamchambersingers.com/auditions.html. For questions, contact Dr. Richard Nickerson at rnickerson@grsu14.org. <
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