Middle School Choir Shares Performances with Special Guests

Middle School Choir Shares Performances with Special Guests

Local chamber music ensemble Ensemble Boulanger performed on Wednesday in the OES Chapel for the Middle School. Co-artistic directors of the ensemble, Hannah Brewer and Emma Riggle, are multi-instrumentalists who have a keen interest in connecting listeners with music and history. 
 
The name of their ensemble was inspired by the Boulanger sisters, Nadia and Lili, well known teachers and composers who lived and performed in the late 1800s-early 1900s. Ensemble Boulanger created a special concert just for OES. Their “Serenade d’Automne” concert, music for Autumn and the Season of Thanksgiving, included different styles of piano and vocal music, including various genres and music by Lili and Nadia Boulanger.
 
After their performance, the Middle School choir students sang for the guest performers. The first selection was a modern arrangement of a 13th century sacred piece, “Of the Father’s Love Begotten.”  Matthew Machemer's mysterious and beautiful arrangement included organ, flute, aleatoric handbells, and two part choir. A special thanks to Jocelyn Thomas (flute) and Fred Beal (organ) for sharing their skills for this special event. “Sisi ni Moja” was the second selection. The highly rhythmic piece included choir, piano, and 8th grader Cyrus Grover on djembe. The Swahili title means “‘We Are One.”  Due to limited time, Ensemble Boulanger did not share suggestions and comments during the event but feedback was shared through Middle School Choir Director Ashley McCullar.

  • “It was fun!” Emmie C. ’29
  • “I didn’t know any of the composers so I think it was good that I got to hear new music.” Julian M. ’29
  • “It was whimsically artistic, and I had an invigorating time!” Vishvam B. ’29
  • “I liked their music and their cat!” Mia S. ’29                     

The Middle School Choir will be performing these pieces, as well as several others, at a Winter Concert on Monday, December 5 at 7:00 p.m. in the OES Chapel. No tickets are required and all are welcome to attend!