With vaccines rolling out, things are inching their way closer to normal. And though there is still a long way to go, the return to full-time in-person learning in schools has opened opportunities that were unavailable to last year’s students.
Like many arts programs last year, the performing arts department at Chateauguay Valley Regional High School (CVR) struggled when it came to how to operate; with students being half at home and half in school, it was difficult to rehearse anything. Choir practices were done entirely online, with singers never really getting to hear one another. Last year’s final musical had to be filmed in pieces and edited together, instead of being performed live as usual (That video will be available for the public soon). And though the students were superstars and worked extremely hard to make the production even possible, it’s definitely exciting for them to have a bit more freedom this year.
CVR traditionally puts on an ambitious show. This year, the department is pleased to announce it will be performing Aladdin. As of right now, members can rehearse together both at lunch hour and after school. Lynn Harper, one of the show’s directors alongside Dawna Babin and Joyce Rudisel, says, “We are following protocols and are crossing our fingers that this remains to be the case as the school year unfolds.”
Being back together physically has already had many benefits. The production is moving along at a rapid pace, having already undergone auditions and callbacks, and has already started rehearsing. Harper proudly states, “Last week, the group stood to sing through four of the major pieces in the show and wowed us with their sound.” Choreography is underway as well. Getting to be in the space all together allows everyone to move through materials at speed.
Harper says that the students have been wonderful to work with. Part of what makes this year so exceptional is that this graduating class witnessed the struggles of putting on a show last year. “They know what last year’s group had to live through, and I think they are thankful for all of the things that make the school year feel a little more ‘normal’,” explains Harper. This feeling also encourages an immense amount of support amongst the cast.
In a normal year, CVR’s performing arts department puts on two shows: a musical in January and a cabaret in May. This year, the musical will be taking place in May and there will not be a cabaret; in its place, Harper is organizing special lunchtime performances that will feature all kinds of artistic disciplines. She says she has yet to come up with a catchy name for these performances, but promises they will feature “singers, dancers, actors, choir and visual arts students – a splash of informal entertainment for the noonday crowd.”
Harper has also been working hard with the After-Hours Choir now that it can gather in the school once again. Last year, the group rehearsed on Mondays at 7 p.m. on Zoom, and made recordings for the Remembrance Day virtual music contest on CBC Music (that video can be found on the CBC Music YouTube channel), the NFSB Arts Fest, and they recorded enough songs for an upcoming video album. Harper makes sure to mention teacher Sasha Geukjian and former students Joshua Larocque and Ethan Iverson for their excellent audio mixing and editing. This year, the choir recorded music to participate in World Singing Day which took place on October 16, and it has many more things planned.
The resilience of the arts throughout the pandemic is positive for everyone. And though May is still far away, CVR is giving its all to keep up with its stellar reputation in the performing arts. Soon, a sneak peak of the show will be offered during lunch to get students – and everybody – even more excited for the complete performance of Aladdin. And soon, you’ll be able to watch last year’s show on video to tide you over until the curtains open.