Senior Recitals Mark a Bittersweet End to High School Music Careers
By Molly Renehan ’11 and Antea DeMarsilis ’11
News Reporter
“Bittersweet” is the only word to describe the senior recitals that have been taking place throughout the last couple of weeks. Seniors have been preparing their pieces over the course of the spring term, but the work in the performance is collective of their entire high school career. The recitals lasted about an hour and focused on instrumental and vocal accomplishments. The star performers include Janet Li ’ 08, Lauren Provini ’08, Emily MacLeod ’08, Tessa Sacramone ’08, Julia Nick ’08, Rebecca Sassoon ’08, and Ellie Foster ’08.
The senior recital of Tessa Sacramone ’08 and Julia Nick ’08 included both singing and violin repertoire. The violin pieces were mostly classical, and the vocal performance consisted of many jazz pieces. Taking vocal lessons outside of Choate, Tessa had prepared her pieces throughout the year, because many of the featured pieces were used for her college musical auditions. Julia played classical pieces on the violin.
Lauren Provini ’08 called her own senior recital, given on Saturday, May 10, “a celebration of all that I have accomplished vocally.” Lauren had prepared for her vocal recital since the start of spring term; she said that her hard preparation made it easy for her to enjoy singing some of her favorite songs for an excited audience. Lauren had spent so long rehearsing for this recital that her mother, whom she often sang to, could accompany her in her duets. “I practiced every day to the point of singing through my recital in the shower,” said Lauren. She had been working very hard with her teacher, Robin Sellati, whom she sang a duet with in the recital. The Whimawehs, the a capella group Lauren captained this year, also made an appearance.
Emily MacLeod’s ’08 performance focused on her main interest, musical theater. Her songs came from several different musicals, most of which are not widely known. She has also been working with vocal instructor Robin Sellati in preparation for her recital. The work in her program included pieces she has sung over her Choate career but mostly compositions that she learned this year. Emily appreciated how nice it was to have an audience of friends and family that wouldn’t care if she messed up and were supportive of her performance.
The senior recitals have been a positive way to close the students’ high school musical careers. When Lauren and Tessa were asked about their feelings on ending their Choate music career with this recital, Lauren said, “It’s hard to think about ending it and saying goodbye,” to which Tessa responded, “But this feels like the right way to end it.”
Lauren Provini ’08 and Mr. Paul Tines share a final Choate moment after Lauren’s voice recital. PHOTO/Contributed Photo
