The stage was lit, the audience hushed and the room was silent, as the singers began a great holiday show. The Ladue High school choir performed with the St. Louis Symphony at Powell Hall Dec. 14-16. The choir bellowed holiday cheer with the goal of bringing some spirit to their assembly at Powell Hall’s Holiday chorus festival. It was the first time the choir sang in the event and the first time the symphony hosted it.

“We got the idea of joining the event when Kevin MacBeth asked me to bring the Ladue choir to perform at the first time ever honors high school chorus concert,” choir director Tom Lowery said.

With Powell Hall full of people waiting to hear the dynamic ensemble, the choir had a chance to represent Ladue as one of the four high schools that performed.

“We sang with Fort Zumwalt West, McCluer North and Normandy,” senior Charlene Masona said. “It was a real teamwork effort. We worked with people there whom we would not have otherwise met.”

Although the concert was a large time commitment, students who attended the non-mandatory performance were glad they participated in the experience.

“Most of my students seemed happy that they attended,” Lowery said. “Even though rehearsals were on the days of the finals many students were willing to put in the extra effort to attend. It was no simple task, either, most kids put in close to 10 or 12 hours to that one event. I’m really proud of them.”

Singing to one of the largest crowds that they had ever had was not an easy task. Because they had never done it before, members of the choir found it nerve-wracking to perform with the St. Louis symphony, the second oldest symphony in the U.S.

“It was really a once in a life time moment on the stage,” Masona said. “You just didn’t want to mess up in front of a thousand people and the St. Louis symphony.”

The choir sang classic holiday songs including “Noel,” “Silent Night,” and “We Wish You A Merry Christmas.” The well-known conductor, Ward Stare, conducted the concert.

“He was very professional,” junior Sydney Davis said. “His style was different, and even if it was a bit confusing when he was cuing the orchestra and the choir, he was fun to work with.”

After playing three medleys of holiday carols, the audience was allowed to join in for two of the songs, “Jingle Bells” and “White Christmas.” To the choir members, this was a delightful twist to the “normal” way of performing.

“I loved the sing-along,” Davis said. “It allowed me to be more energetic knowing that I had a people to back me up.”

At the end of the second day of performing with the orchestra, the choir had a great experience. It was considered a success, and the Ladue Choir enjoyed the accompaniment of the St. Louis Symphony. To celebrate their success they all went to eat dinner with fellow high school performers from other schools.

“It was a lot of fun,” Masona said. “I hope the choir can do it again next year. It would be a great tradition to have.” #