There is something special about watching young musicians grow through a school music program. Some begin as nervous middle school students, learning to sing in front of an audience for the first time. Others spend years developing their voices, building confidence, and learning the discipline required to perform at increasingly demanding levels. By the time they reach their final years of high school, the difference can be remarkable. Wednesday evening’s Fall Choir Concert at Quincy High School offered an opportunity to see that progression in a single evening.
Just seven weeks into the school year, students from Quincy Middle School and all three Quincy High School choirs gathered in the high school gymnasium for their first concert of the season. For some, it was their first time performing with a school choir. For others, it was another opportunity to demonstrate skills they have spent years developing. Quincy has become accustomed to strong performances from its school music programs, but Wednesday’s concert was a reminder of just how much work goes into maintaining that standard.
The evening began a few minutes later than scheduled after a traffic accident on Highway 28 delayed longtime choir accompanist Kevin Courter. Courter has been accompanying Quincy’s choirs for years, and Quincy High School choir director Kylie Youngren shared that the two have worked together for approximately a decade. His contributions extend beyond the school district, with his piano work also supporting Quincy Valley Allied Arts productions and other musical programs throughout the region. While the delay was unexpected, it hardly dampened the evening. Families, friends, and community members filled much of the gymnasium, visiting with neighbors and enjoying the opportunity to gather before the performances began.
The first students to take the stage were the seventh- and eighth-grade singers from Quincy Middle School, performing under the direction of new choir director Alyssa Acob. With just 14 students, the middle school choir was the smallest group of the evening, but its size did little to diminish its performance. The students presented two selections, “Good Night,” arranged by Doreen Rao, and “Tongo,” arranged by Greg Gilpin. The second selection featured Alexander Ramos on shaker and Micah Buckley on djembe, adding percussion to the young choir’s performance.
For some of these students, Wednesday marked their first experience performing as members of a school choir before a large audience, and they handled the occasion well. Their performance also offered an early look at Acob’s work with the middle school program. Quincy’s high school choirs do not develop in isolation. Much of the foundation for their success begins during the middle school years, when students learn the fundamentals of vocal performance, musical discipline, and working together as an ensemble. Wednesday’s opening performance suggested that the district’s younger singers are off to a promising start.
Following the middle school performance, Quincy High School’s Concert Choir took the stage under the direction of Youngren. Concert Choir serves as the entry point into the high school’s vocal music program. Unlike the more advanced ensembles, students do not have to audition to participate, making it an important opportunity for those interested in exploring music and developing their abilities. This year’s group consists primarily of freshmen and sophomores and, at Wednesday’s concert, was composed entirely of young women.
The choir performed three selections: “Sanctus,” by Rosephanye Powell; “Wild Mountain Thyme,” arranged by Jay Broeker; and “Reuben, Reuben,” arranged by Vijay Singh. Each piece presented different musical demands, giving the students an opportunity to demonstrate the work they have accomplished during the opening weeks of school. Seven weeks is not a particularly long time to prepare a concert, especially when many students are still adjusting to new classes, schedules, and expectations. Yet the Concert Choir delivered a strong performance, showing both preparation and the confidence needed to stand before a large audience.
I should acknowledge a personal connection to this particular group. My youngest daughter is a freshman and a member of the Concert Choir this year. Although I have attended and covered numerous Quincy High School choir performances over the years, Wednesday was my first opportunity to experience one as the parent of a student on stage. Watching your own child perform brings a different appreciation for the work involved, particularly when you know how much preparation goes into those few minutes before an audience. My daughter has participated in local theater productions before, but this was her first experience performing with a choir, something she shared with several of her fellow freshmen Wednesday evening.
The evening continued with the Quincy High School Symphonic Choir, an auditioned ensemble consisting primarily of upperclassmen, although younger students who meet the program’s requirements may also participate. Many of these singers have spent previous years developing their abilities, participating in concerts, and learning the more demanding aspects of ensemble performance. That experience was evident as the group performed “Come to Me, O My Love,” by Allan Robert Petker; “The Seal Lullaby,” by Eric Whitacre; and “The Storm is Passing Over,” arranged by Barbara W. Baker.
The final selection was a personal favorite, a familiar piece that brought back memories of hearing it many times when I was younger. The ensemble, consisting of both young men and women, produced a full, rich sound that filled the gymnasium. Their performance reflected the musical maturity that comes from years of practice and the expectations established within Youngren’s program.
Quincy’s Symphonic Choir has developed a reputation that extends beyond local school concerts. Its students have earned recognition through competitions, participated in performances outside the district, and represented Quincy at community and regional events. Some members of the high school choir program have already been performing this school year, including solo appearances at the Quincy Farmers Market. The Symphonic Choir has also participated in recent community events, including a performance for the Quincy Valley Historical Society and an appearance at a statewide educational gathering. The students’ musical commitments extend well beyond the scheduled school concert season, and their participation in community events has made them familiar faces to many Quincy residents.
The final individual ensemble of the evening was Spectrum, Quincy High School’s select vocal performance group. Spectrum is a smaller, audition-based ensemble consisting of 16 students. Membership requires students to demonstrate a higher level of musical ability and commitment, with auditions taking place during the preceding school year. For those familiar with Quincy’s performing arts programs, Spectrum has become a recognizable part of the local music community, with members regularly participating in concerts, competitions, and special performances.
Spectrum performed three selections Wednesday evening, beginning with “Tipitin,” arranged by Raul Dominguez and featuring Aliah Corona. The ensemble followed with “Kaipaava,” by Wuorela and Chydenius, before closing with Billy Joel’s “For the Longest Time,” arranged by Kirby Shaw. The final number featured Belle Rollins, Jarrett Clark, Ruby Gonzalez, Cassandra Santillan, Owen Yeates, Aldo Birrueta, and Jorge Salas Ruiz.
The three selections gave the ensemble an opportunity to demonstrate its range, moving between different musical styles and arrangements. Spectrum has developed a reputation for challenging its members with demanding music and new approaches to performance. Many of its singers have also participated in Solo and Ensemble competitions and community productions, including events presented by Quincy Valley Allied Arts. Their performances require not only strong individual voices but also the ability to listen carefully to one another, maintain balance, and work together as a smaller ensemble.
There is a tendency for those of us who regularly attend these performances to become accustomed to the quality of the program. We expect the Symphonic Choir to sound excellent and Spectrum to deliver polished performances because we have watched these students perform at school concerts, community celebrations, and regional events for years. What can be easy to overlook is the amount of work required to reach that level. Behind each performance are countless hours of rehearsals, individual practice, auditions, and the willingness of students to challenge themselves musically. The confidence audiences see on stage is the result of years of instruction, discipline, and dedication.
The concert program itself offered another reminder of that commitment. Alongside the student rosters were designations recognizing section leaders, choir presidents, and students who have earned varsity letters, pins, and medallions through their participation in the program. These distinctions reflect the time and effort many of Quincy’s young singers have invested in developing their abilities.
The evening concluded with all four choirs returning to the stage for a combined performance of “Woyaya.” Students from the middle school, Concert Choir, Symphonic Choir, and Spectrum filled the risers, creating an impressive sight as the youngest singers stood alongside the district’s most experienced high school vocalists. With so many students gathered together, space on the risers was at a premium, but it was a fitting conclusion to the concert.
The combined performance brought together students at different stages of their musical development, from those just beginning their journey in middle school to experienced high school singers preparing for graduation and whatever opportunities may come next. For younger students, it offered a chance to perform alongside musicians they may one day hope to join in the district’s advanced ensembles. For the older students, it was an opportunity to share the stage with the next generation of Quincy singers.
While the students deserved the applause they received Wednesday evening, successful concerts depend on more than the performers standing on stage. The district’s student technical crews also play an important role, helping manage sound, staging, and the equipment necessary to support the performances. Their work often happens quietly in the background, but it contributes significantly to the audience’s experience. Courter’s work as accompanist is another important part of the program’s success, and his longstanding partnership with Youngren has provided musical continuity and support for generations of Quincy choir students.
The concert also marked an early opportunity for the community to see Acob’s work as the new middle school choir director. Taking over an established program brings both opportunities and expectations, and Wednesday’s performance offered an encouraging beginning. Youngren, meanwhile, continues to demonstrate the dedication that has helped establish Quincy High School’s vocal music program as one of the community’s strongest performing arts offerings. Watching her interact with students during concerts and performances makes it clear that the relationships between director and singers extend beyond simply learning the notes on a page. The confidence and enthusiasm of the students reflect the environment in which they are learning.
Wednesday’s concert was only the beginning of the school year’s scheduled choir performances. Youngren indicated that approximately three additional concerts are planned, along with other activities and opportunities for students to perform throughout the year. The school also livestreamed Wednesday’s concert on its YouTube channel, providing an opportunity for those who could not attend to watch the students’ performances. While a recording cannot fully reproduce the experience of hearing a choir perform live, it does offer family members, friends, and community residents a chance to appreciate the work these students have accomplished.
For a community Quincy’s size, the opportunities available to students through choir, band, theater, and other artistic pursuits are remarkable. These programs provide more than entertainment. They give young people opportunities to develop confidence, learn discipline, work together, and discover talents they may carry with them long after graduation. Wednesday evening demonstrated those benefits at every level, from a small group of middle school singers taking their first steps into public performance to experienced high school students delivering the kind of musical quality audiences have come to expect.
If the opening concert is any indication, Quincy’s choir students and their directors have another promising year ahead of them.