Many students and parents look forward to the spring concerts for many reasons. For some, they’re excited to perform the music they’ve learned. For others, it’s because it’s a weight off of their shoulder after months of practicing. But for seniors such as myself, these performances are a bittersweet farewell to the music programs we’ve been a part of all year, or even all of our high school career.
The Spring Band Concert hosted by Mr. Ladd took place on May 8 and the Spring Choir Concert hosted by Mrs. Chappell took place on May 15 and featured pop songs and theater music from well-known artists such as Bruno Mars and Elvis Presley and from movies such as “Into the Woods” and “Wicked”.
Students work for upwards of four months in preparation for their concerts. Ms. Chappel is always hopeful “for the students to be able to perform in a way that allows the audience to know what each song is about and what it means to them personally”. In addition, because the performance is full of well known songs, she feels that “It is also fun to see the audience involvement in this concert because the audience often knows these pieces of music as well!”
This performance wasn’t just the seniors last performance at KHS but also Mrs. Chappel’s. “This performance is bittersweet for me every year because it’s the senior’s final performance in their high school career (besides singing the national anthem at graduation). I am always so proud of them, but it is very hard and sad to say goodbye, especially to those who have been in the program for all 4 years. I’ve really gotten to know them and saying goodbye is difficult.”
Mrs. Chappell has been the choir teacher here at KHS for eleven years. She is headed back to school to get her Masters in Vocal Performance at Towson University to hopefully teach private lessons. “Despite being excited for my next chapter, I’m SO sad to be leaving. I have so much love for the students and staff here at KHS. I hope my students know how much they have changed my life. I also hope this teaches my students that sometimes putting yourself and doing scary things that you didn’t think were going to be part of your journey is the best the way to grow,” shares Mrs. Chappell.
We will greatly miss Mrs. Chappell here at KHS but also wish her the very best.
