By Noah Perot '26 (Reporter)
The end of the school year at Friends’ Central would be incomplete without the musical and artistic celebrations that premier in Shallcross Hall every spring. Featured in the vernal performances are the Upper School chorus, orchestra, jazz band, vocal groups, and student artists. They differ from the ones presented in the fall for, instead of sharing a single evening, the chorus and orchestra are allowed to perform on different dates spaced roughly a week apart. In addition to creating time for viewing the visual art produced by students, the segmented nature of FCS’s spring performances allows each ensemble to furnish more complete performances, and, in doing so, to share messages of inspiration and creativity that will endure long after the applause has died out.
On April 24th, the celebration opened with a diverse array of artwork created by Upper Schoolers of every grade. Over ten different art classes had art on display, from woodwork to photography and wearable art. All members of the FCS community—teachers, students, and parents alike—were thoroughly impressed by the exhibition and admired the skill behind each piece of art. Featured below are projects by Quin Stovall ‘24 in Studio II and Nate Samaha ‘25 in 3D design, respectively.
After one hour, the audience transitioned from the gallery into the Meeting Room for the choral concert. The show began with “As I Me Walked,” a song birthed in Renaissance England and sung in perpetual canon, followed by a Latin requiem, “Lux Aeterna.” Later on, the Singing Lovers, one of FCS’s Valentine’s Day ensembles, sang several more modern songs, including “I Want You Back,” by The Jackson 5. The program then saw the Acafellas, another ensemble composed of vocal group members, perform songs such as “Treasure,” by Bruno Mars, during which the song’s upbeat, rhythmic energy struck a chord with the crowd. Chamber ensembles, groups of just a few students per song, then infused the concert with a more indie, house-band-like tone. Next, the senior chorus touched the crowd with a nostalgia-filled rendition of “Where'd All The Time Go?” The night was closed by the full chorus, which came on stage once again, inviting the audience to join in for a “Circlesong,” where a member of chorus improvises a melody and invites the audience to build onto it.
After a full night for the Upper School chorus, the orchestra had one more week to prepare. On the night of the concert, the orchestra, in typical fashion, played songs that no one other than the imaginative mind of Carl Bradley would ever think to juxtapose. “Speak Softly, Love” (a.k.a. the theme song from The Godfather), a haunting bout of melancholy and romance, was first up on the list. Next came Shostakovich’s “Festive Overture,” and, finally, the orchestra finished out their lineup with a variation on Radiohead’s “No Surprises” (one of my favorites!), arranged by Mr. Bradley himself. Then, the jazz band took over to play a delightful set of songs, including classics such as “Greensleeves” by John Coltrane, as well as more niche ones, like Aphex Twin’s “Alberto Balsam.”
The performances highlighting these three disciplines, i.e., artistry, voice, and instrumentation, were profoundly moving for those who were able to view them. Their synergistic effects on the community were a reminder of what Friends’ Central (most especially its students!) can be at their best. This summer, while I’m at the beach, I’ll be thinking about what other remarkable songs will be played at the concert this fall.
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