By Clara Moffitt

In the Zelman center, six middle schoolers (all 6^th graders) gathered together to perform five well-rehearsed songs. These 6^th graders belong to a group called Bel Canto, or Beautiful Song.  Due to “productive rehearsals,” Bel Canto was able to beautifully perform Yesu Ni Wangu, Pictures of Fall, Morning has Broken, Welcome Winter on this Night, and Hanukah Tonight, in that order.

The choir amazed the audience with their first song, which was in Swahili. They proudly marched onto the stage while clapping to the beat of a drum. Mrs. Rey’s open mind stunned the audience again, when in the same song, Bel Canto did a dance native to Africa.  These startling unique pieces kept the audience engaged through the duration of the performance.

One might ask how these songs were chosen. “I wanted to give us a variety of styles,” recalls Mrs. Rey, who is always up for challenges. She wanted Bel Canto to be familiar with different languages, and she wanted the pieces to be fun and challenging.

Next semester, Bel Canto “will build on what [they] know,” says Mrs. Rey. She hopes to do more difficult pieces, more languages, and a cappella. Sounds fun right? Well, looking at the small size of the choir, Mrs. Rey wants three times as many singers.  Remember, ALL middle school students can participate in Bel Canto, not just 6^th graders. You don’t have to be a good singer; you just need to be free on Monday from 3 to 4 p.m.

Mrs. Rey wants to leave her humble choir with one last comment: “I am very proud of you, you are singing very well.”