GHS Swing Choir Shines at Record Release Party

The Glasgow High School Swing Choir debuted their original Christmas music on Nov. 20. Every year, the Swing Choir is assigned a project during first semester that requires them to work in groups and use their knowledge of theory to create musical compositions; this year they were challenged to write original Christmas songs. The class was split into four groups and each group was assigned a genre in which to write their song- sacred, alternative, big band or musical theatre. All of the groups were mentored on progression, melody and lyric writing by Swing Choir Director Luree Green-Chappell and myself. Once their songs were written, Swing Choir members all attended several recording sessions with their groups to bring their compositions to life with orchestral and vocal arrangements by Green-Chappell.

The first song, "The Star is Real," written and performed by Ben Miller, Aubre Hartsock, Cerenity Olsen and Devon Sexton-Nesbitt is a sacred piece. The song was arranged with a standard symphony orchestra (violins, violas, cello, bass, French horn, trumpets, English horn, clarinet, flute, percussion, piano, and a guitar part by Ben). "The Star is Real" takes the listener to the night of Jesus' birth. It has a classic Christmas song sound with Biblical imagery that takes you on a journey back to the first Christmas. The song has a lot of dynamics, going low for emotional moments of introspection and soaring high with faith. The piece wraps up with a lovely suspension on the line, "brightest on high tonight" which leaves you wanting to listen again.

Next up is the musical theatre piece. "Christmas Chaos" written and performed by Ellie Page, Kambria Ross, Isabelle Griffin, Austin Babb and Ian Wright is the perfect anti-Christmas song. Using a full stage orchestra (strings, horns, piano, and tons of auxiliary percussion), the song is rambunctious and pessimistic. It truly feels like a traditional musical overture, foreshadowing the events of a Christmas gone wrong. Filled to the brim with setting and conflict, "Turkey's on the oven, cranberries on the stovetop, wait, did Mom forget to sneak away and Christmas shop?," "Christmas Chaos" builds into a turn around which is truly chaotic. As all the verses repeat, you can't help but relate to the feeling of relief as the holidays end and everyone can relax.

"In Frame" is the alternative piece written and performed by Colton Pewitt, Nicole Lippert, Cody Cronmiller and Hannah Anderson. The song utilizes a simple band (piano, drum kit, cello, bass, sleigh bells, and a guitar part by Miller) and complex, layered vocals. "In Frame" is a tribute to the emotional vulnerability of its writers. The lyrics are personal and somber, gently approaching topics of familial conflict, painful nostalgia, and yearning for the ideal cheerful Christmas. Incredibly introspective, the song begins and ends with the same lyrical setting, "Waking up on a Christmas morn, you were calling my name" that makes the whole experience feel like a window into someone's immediate thoughts as they resign themselves to a holiday they aren't excited for.

The final song, "A Special Time of Year" written and performed by Aurora Chappell, Vincent Chappell, Trevor Johnson and Brooklyn Schmidt is a big band piece. It was arranged with a traditional big band (piano, upright bass, splashy drum kit, baritone sax, trombones, trumpets, clarinet, and flute) but took a more jazz-ballad approach. This song immediately feels like a warm night by the fire. It combines a mature appreciation of family and love with a child's all-encompassing excitement about Santa and presents and finds common ground between the two in a chorus hoping that Christmas time will never end. Everything about "A Special Time of Year" is warm and classy. It feels like a song you have known for years while still being an enticing, new experience.

You can find all of these songs on the Glasgow High School Swing Choir Facebook page if you want to listen yourself.