I have been fortunate enough to watch many fine performances from high school students over the years. And I have to admit one of the most mesmerizing was the Alberta High School of Fine Arts Vocal Ensemble performance at Choralfest in Calgary on March 8.
Not only did they hit the right note, it seemed its performance of Felix Mendelssohn’s Hexenlied was in a different language.
With high school basketball zones this weekend, I realized the efforts of artists and the many high school athletes I have covered aren’t that different. For example take this post-Choral Fest interview with School of Fine Arts music director Nicole Hounjet (some writer’s embellishment).
BC: That was quite a performance. How are you feeling right now and what’s next?’
NH: “I don’t think it’s really hit me yet. I just want to thank my friends and family for hanging in there, it’s been a long school year. As for what’s next, I’m just going to enjoy this for right now.”
BC: “You were a bit late for Choralfest and had to warm up on the bus. Did that concern you?”
NH: “Not at all. These kids have put in hours, hours and hours of effort — there was no way it would come down to a 15-minute warm-up. These girls gave it 110 per cent. They left everything on the stage. I couldn’t be prouder of them.”
BC: “The ensemble before you was nearly flawless. Did that put pressure on your girls to up their game?”
NH: “At this level, every choir out there is going to put in a solid performance. On any given night, there’s a choir that can out sing you if you’re not focused and willing to sing for a full 60 minutes – you can’t take one stanza off. I can’t control what those other choirs do, it’s out of my hands.”
BC: “Your left-side was phenomenal in Felix Mendelssohn’s Hexenlied, — the passion, the soaring voices. Is that what clinched it?
NH: “That was impressive and they did a good job, but it seems those are the only girls that get the attention with you media guys. Without the grunt work of the girls on the right side providing the softer tones for that big sound, we don’t have anything. This is a team.”
BC: You have a big month ahead of you don’t you?
NH: “Yeah, we’ve got the High River Music Festival in April and if we can get by that, provincials. We’ll be studying the film from Choralfest, making adjustments, you can always improve. Let’s face it, sure we were good, but that’s behind us, it’s Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young — history. We’ve got a target on our backs now and the other choirs will be gunning for us.”
BC: “Thank you, Nicole and congratulations.”
NH: “Always a pleasure, give your best to your family.”
