Deerfield Chorus

What the DHS Chorus Is and What It Means to Me (By Caroline Bartoszek)

When wandering around R Hall, many musical sounds can likely be heard, from keys of a piano being played in a practice room to the beat of a drum kit in the band room. However, closer to the end of the hall towards the big red circular room (a popular place as a background of Instagram posts), singers in practice rooms are belting notes, and inside R100 is where the magic of chorus happens.

Currently in 2018, the DHS Chorus Program is made up of 4 choirs: Treble Ensemble, Concert Choir, Chorale, and Choraliers.

Treble Ensemble is made up of Freshmen girls, along with Senior Advisors.

Concert Choir contains Sophomore girls, Freshmen boys, and Senior Advisors.

Chorale is Junior and Senior girls, along with Sophomore, Junior, and Senior boys.

Choraliers is an audition-based choir open to Sophomore, Juinor, and Senior boys and girls.

Many students learn to find their voices in the choral program, both literally and figuratively. I know I speak for more than just myself when I say this. Chorus is welcome to anyone and everyone, and while many classrooms promise to be a safe space for everyone, chorus has gone above and beyond by always feeling like a warm hug in the middle of a stress filled day. When I walk into this room, I feel like I can let all my barriers down. I can dance around the room, talk and laugh with my friends, and just lose myself in the music we learn.

Chorus is a place where I learn more than just music. I learn about the world; I learn about myself. In fact, I can say that I have learned the most in chorus (and APUSH, actually, but that's a different story). Our current teacher/choir director, Alicia Akers, is not only a true expert in her profession but an expert at being a teacher. The connections she develops with her students are incredibly strong and unique. Often times, we find ourselves just talking about life and how the power of music can affect it. I know that when I see Mrs. Akers step to the side from her music stand and take off her glasses, she's about to impart her wisdom to us. We talk about important subjects by listening to her and giving our own input. We have emotional moments, profound moments, and it makes us grow so much closer. I have never trusted or loved a teacher as much as I do her, and she and the kids in that class feel like family to me.

I could go on about how much I love chorus for pages, but that is not what this is about. I want to conclude my own personal account of this wonderful part of DHS by saying that this class has made me grow like no other. I now have a greater sense of who I am, what I value, and who I want to be. If I had not taken Treble Ensemble as a freshman and learned how much I love chorus, I would not have the confidence I have now. Learning how to celebrate your own uniqueness but also use that uniqueness to create a masterpiece as a group is such a valuable skill that I will never forget and one that I will hold close to my heart forever. --Caroline Bartoszek, Class of 2019

Featured below are old photographs of the choir program from old yearbooks, as well as interviews of Mrs. Akers.