by Rebecca Fullerman, CHS ‘24
Content Development Specialist
October 6, 2023 — Chardon Sings Day, held this year on Sept. 29 at Chardon High School and Chardon Middle School, hosted guest clinician Dr. Lisa Wong — the Director of the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and Associate Professor of Music at The College of Wooster. The outpouring of positive feedback and lessons learned from last year’s event prompted Chardon Choir Director Fritz Streiff to plan this second workshop.
Once again, Chardon Crescendo Club - the District's K-12 music boosters — generously sponsored this collaborative musical event.
Chardon choir director Fritz Streiff stated, “The purpose of Chardon Sings Day is to provide an opportunity for the choir students to be vertically aligned and to grow from making music together. We are thankful for the support of Crescendo for making this enriching event possible.”
Mr. Streiff organized all Grade 8, Chorale, and Treble Choir students to attend an in-school masterclass at CHS on the morning of the event. The singers have been rehearsing “Wide Open Spaces” by Sarah Quartel in class for the past several weeks.
Dr. Wong focused on telling a story with the song piece, and emphasized expressing it in a personal way. Halfway through, the participants were treated to a doughnut snack.
For the afternoon, Mr. Streiff invited 32 CHS students who are members of Free Harmony show choir, Chamber Choir, or Topp-notch A capella to mentor CMS grades 5-7 singers for an in-school masterclass at the middle school. The workshop was assisted by Chardon music faculty, including Mr. Streiff, Michelle Watson and Vanessa Allen.
Dr. Wong had a different approach with CMS Hilltoppers as they workshopped “Said the Rain” by Amy F. Bernon. For example, she compared vowel mouth shapes to coin sizes. Dr. Wong also encouraged physical movements, including claps, to improve singing and musicianship. After their hard work, ice-cream treats were enjoyed by all.
CMS singers also enjoyed the sweet sounds of Chardon’s elitist choir — the CHS Chamber choir — to finish out the day.
Mr. Streiff invites the community to attend the CHS fall concert on Oct. 10 at 7:30pm at the Mayfield United Methodist Church located at 7747 Mayfield Road in Chesterland. This event is free of charge and will feature, among other works, “Wide Open Spaces”.
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