Dozens of choir students at Shepard High School are gearing up for a concert at the downtown home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Staff at the school in Palos Heights said it was an honor to be chosen for the prestigious gig next week at Symphony Center. Shepard is one of three schools performing Dec. 20 before and during intermission of the Merry, Merry Chicago! concert. The other two schools are Vernon Hills High School Chamber Choir and Northwestern Strings in Evanston.
Shepard’s 43 choir members are rehearsing daily for the upcoming performance.
“They’ll be in the ballroom, a space which I kind of consider the jackpot there,” said Shepard choir director Roland Hatcher. “It’s probably one of the nicest spaces the kids get to sing in all year.”
The students will also get to watch the CSO perform carols and holiday songs as the concert is livestreamed from Orchestra Hall to the rest of the venue.
“We’re just additional entertainment — obviously the symphony concert is the main (thing),” said Hatcher, whose choir also performed at the event four years ago as well. “When people come out and are using the restroom or getting drinks, they’ll see them (the choir).
“It ends up being a great opportunity for the kids.”
Hatcher said he tries to create an environment in his classroom that makes students feel comfortable.
“Because for me, there’s not a more personal thing you can do than singing,” said Hatcher. “If they’re not comfortable being themselves or with who they are at this really odd time in their lives, it can be really hard to get them to sing at the highest (level) they can.”
He also said the students needed some validation.
“I think a vast majority of it comes from us trying to validate the kids and meet them where they are and the musical stuff just comes as a byproduct of that,” Hatcher said.
The number of choir members shot up from 75 to more than 100 when Hatcher took over as director a few years go. The pandemic took a toll on the choir’s size, but this year the choir has gone up to 95 members from a low of 65 last year.
“I’m very grateful for the administrative support, I’m very grateful to our kids feeling the value of what we do at Shepard,” Hatcher said.
Shepard principal Jen Pollack applauded Hatcher and his choir.
“Our choir director, Mr. Hatcher, does an amazing job preparing our students and seeking out opportunities for our students to share their talents,” she said.
“These experiences will last a lifetime and you never know what door will open next.”
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Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.