To the Lake Stevens Vikings,
This month’s Letter From the Editor will take a different approach than normal. I want to replace my usual reflection with an in-depth look at my favorite choir concert of the year.
Dubbed a “national holiday” by many choir students, the LSHS Choir’s annual Solo Project is quickly approaching. Having run for 21 years, Solo Project is a concert that comes from self-expression, bravery and above all else, peer support. Students have individual reasons for loving this concert.
“My favorite part is seeing the people who aren’t used to performing kind of warming up to it, because we do workshops, and we kind of work through it in class,” senior Alexis Dodge said. “Being able to see the progress from the first workshop to performing on stage is my favorite part.”
While I don’t like singing on my own in front of others and therefore dread the “solo” aspect of this project, there are plenty of other reasons that this is my favorite concert. Seeing my fellow classmates come out of their shells and experience unconditional support is one of them. It makes me happy to know that others are happy, especially about something as raw and personal as their voice.
Being in the Performing Arts Center during the show is also electrifying. Each voice fills the whole auditorium, captivating the audience. After all of the hard work that goes into the show, being able to see the finished product come together is fulfilling and magical.
Solo Project is a beloved chance for choir students to express themselves and their talents.
“I think that there’s a lot of really good people in choir that have a beautiful voice and beautiful talent that they might not be able to get a solo throughout the year, or there’s not an opportunity for that. AndI think that this project is really good for that, because you can see the individual talent that everyone has by themselves, and then how we come together as a group later,” senior Sara Scherer said.
Students get closer when they have the opportunity to express themselves by sharing what type of music they like.
Not only is Solo Project a fun experience for everyone involved, it provides a unique learning experience.
“Solo project is about finding your personal style, rather than just replicating somebody else’s work or just singing your part in a choir song. So often kids join choir, and they learn all these parts, or they learn the alto part to their song, but they don’t know how to be a musician on their own,” choir teacher Monika Tabor said.
Every student prepares a solo, duet or sometimes both to sing multiple times in class as practice before their final performance, which is considered their audition for the show. The performances themselves aren’t graded on quality, but rather a student’s ability to apply feedback, be brave and grow.
One aspect that sets Solo Project apart from other choir concerts is that students take over the technical aspects of running the show.
“I coach the music on the way, and I teach students how to do the other things, but they’re doing the stage managing. They’re doing the lights, they’re doing the sound design, they’re running the show,” Tabor said.
There’s a role for everyone when it comes to Solo Project, whether it’s singing in front of a crowd, managing lights and sound, selling concessions during intermission or running the show as stage manager. I myself was assistant stage manager last year, and will be promoted to stage manager this year. I will have to pick a sophomore who is continuing choir to be my assistant and step into my role next year.
Listening to people present their rough drafts in class has everyone beyond excited to hear the final products at the concert. I’m blown away equally by people I’ve been singing with since middle school and sophomores that I met for the first time this year. From duets accompanied by guitar to trios singing popular musical theater songs, we’ve got it all.
“As I’m previewing what the students have chosen this year, this is probably the coolest show, because everyone’s taste is so different,” Tabor said. “Your favorite song is on the show somewhere, sung by somebody.”
It’s easy to see why I’m so excited for this upcoming concert, for two nights on May 8 and May 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the PAC. Tickets will be sold at lshs.ludus.com. I hope to see you there!
Your Editor-in-Chief and fellow Viking,
Star Knaak
P.S.
Still not convinced that you should go? In the gallery below are photos from last year’s concert for a taste of what you could experience this year.
