By Claire Newfeld

Thanks to the thin walls and minute space of the Tempe Prep campus, it’s easy to hear the 10th and 11th graders rehearsing their songs for the upcoming Music Concert. That sound might not have been the most pleasant back in August, but Mrs. Wilkison and Dr. Wolfe have observed (or heard) tremendous improvement from the beginning of the year. “As a group, the [10th and 11th graders] have definitely improved” in their vocal technique and confidence, Dr. Wolfe said.

This year, the sophomores and juniors will be singing a variety of classical pieces and folk songs. What qualifies as “worthy music” for the concert? There are no specific criteria, says Mrs. Wilkison, but the pieces must have stood the test of time and been written by a “master composer.” All of the songs must reflect the Western Tradition as well.

Interestingly, Dr. Wolfe says that the best way to reflect the Western Tradition is by also including songs that are not from the Western Tradition. Part of the Western Tradition, he says, is to incorporate and accept the other cultures that surround us. In addition, some pieces, such as “Carol of the Bells” and “Heart of Oak,” are songs that have been sung by the choir for many years and are favorites among the students. Others, such as “I Bought Me a Cat” and “Hullabaloo Belay,” are “just fun to sing!”

Students also are able to choose songs for the concert. For the first time, each 11th grade section and possibly a couple of 10th grade sections will be singing songs by themselves. Of course, Dr. Wolfe and Mrs. Wilkison always take into consideration students’ skill levels. This year, the most difficult song is “Dies Irae” from Mozart’s Requiem. (As a soprano, I can attest to that.)

Some people wonder, why do we even teach music at Tempe Prep? They think, “I don’t want to be a musician or a singer, so why should I have to learn Music Theory?” But Mrs. Wilkison says that research shows that there are many academic benefits to studying music. “If someone has not had the arts as part of their education, I would not consider them well-educated,” Dr. Wolfe said. Music is also part of the original quadrivium.

The 10th and 11th grade choir concert will be on Thursday, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. at Epiphany Lutheran Church: 800 W. Ray Road, Chandler, AZ 85225. Directions, concert attire, and additional information are available on the Tempe Prep Calendar of Events. Anyone is welcome to come!