‘A Special Moment in Time’

Viva Voce to perform annual winter concert in the Black Box Theater

Jane Scheffel, Staff • December 2, 2024

Norah Murphy (11) and Kayla Wallace (12) practice for their 2024 spring concert. They will perform in Viva Voce’s annual winter concert Dec. 14. “The group will sing our old songs and then we’ll also sing our competition set,” Murphy said.

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Viva Voce, the all-female a cappella group, will perform in the Black Box Theater Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. for their annual winter concert.

“Our performance is going to be a mesh of all of our music that we sing, which is a bunch of pop songs,” Viva Voce president Kate Sheley (12) said.

This year, alongside their past songs, Viva Voce will debut three new songs that they are singing at nationals. These songs were picked by Viva Voce executives over summer break.

“We’re singing ‘Not Strong Enough’ by Boygenius, ‘My Mind’ by YEBBA and ‘Rocket Man’ by Elton John,” Sheley said.

Viva Voce sits in a circle at one of their 2024 practices. Their winter concert will be their first show of the season. “I always went to [Viva Voce] concerts and was behind the scenes and I just fell in love with it,” Sheley said. (Vincent Hsiao)

The winter concert is Viva Voce’s first of around five performances this season. They will prepare for the Varsity Vocals International Championship of High School A Cappella (ICHSA) which is later in the season.

“We have two school concerts, and we always get hired to play at usually two to three gigs every year,” Viva Voce music director Norah Murphy (11) said. “Then we have [the national] competition in February.”

Viva Voce has a tight schedule to prepare for their shows. The group has been practicing their songs for the show since beginning of summer break.

“We practice every Thursday morning [at] 6:30 a.m. and then we [practice] twice a month Sunday,” Sheley said. “And sometimes we do Tuesdays at 6:30 a.m.”

The members of Viva Voce don’t only prepare at their practices; they also work independently to learn their songs and choreography for the show.

“We have practice tracks, so I will listen to those if I’m cleaning my room so I can get them into my system,” Sheley said. “I’ll read over the music, mark everything.”

Viva Voce stands on the stairs at Union Station. This is Kate Sheley’s (12) first year as president. “[Being president] entails making sure the girls are being kind to each other [and] being productive,” Sheley said. (Kayla Wallace)

Viva Voce’s time and dedication creates an exciting atmosphere that brings happiness to many people. The members invite everyone to come and see their many concerts.

“It’s not like any other concert you’ll see at Ladue,” Murphy said. “It’s [going to] be a really fun concert. It’s [going to] be songs that most people will know.”

Throughout their performances, Viva Voce members express their dedication and love for singing and performing.

“The idea of people making music solely with their voices is already so enticing, but Viva Voce as a whole, when we make music altogether, it’s a special moment in time,” Sheley said. “I think it’s really fun and exciting for other people to experience it, and we love sharing that moment.”

About the Contributors

Jane Scheffel, Staff

Jane Scheffel is a sophomore at Ladue and this is her first year on Panorama. Scheffel enjoys playing soccer and listening to music. She can't wait to travel the world when she is older.

Vincent Hsiao, Photography Editor in Chief

Vincent Hsiao is in his second year as Photography Editor in Chief for Ladue Publications. Hsiao is a captain on the swim team, and serves as the Public Relations Co-Chair for National Honor Society. Outside of Publications, Hsiao runs his own photography business and freelances for MaxPreps as a sports photographer.